oruialk  aftev 
ttuo  hundred 
fifttj  gears 


cAn  account  of  the  Celebration  of  the  250th 
c/lnnfbersary   of  the   Charter  of  the  Tolfon 


1651—  September     llth—  1901 


Including  Historical  Sketches  of   Churches,  Schools,  Old 

Homes.  Institutions,  Eminent  Men,  Patriotic 

and  Benevolent  Work, 

together  with 

The  Record  of  Soldiers  and  Sailors  enlisted  in  Norwalk 
from  1676  to  1898. 

The  Civic  Progress  in  the  Last  Century  and  Statistics 

of  Commerce  and  other  miscellany  of  Local  interest. 

Published   under  the  auspices  of  the  Norwalk  Historical 

and  Memorial  Library  Association. 

C.   A.    FREEMAN 

Publisher 
SOUTH  NORWAI.K.  CONNECTICUT 


Ludlow   Monument, 
East  Norwalk. 


Charles  Melbourne  Selleck,  the  son  of  Henry  Selleck  and  Mary  jAnn 
Selleck  (nee  Keeler),  was  born  in  Xorwalk,  January  17,  1KJ1,  He  wasa  pupil 
at  four  years  of  age  of  Susan  Belts' school,  Xorwalk  and  later  continued 
his  education  in  public  and  private  schools  in  Connecticut,  graduating 
finally  at  Hall's  Academy  in  Xorwalk.  He  began  teaching  at  Cranbury 
Plains  about  1<4(>  and  later  taught  in  the  down-school  in  East  Xorwalk, 
where  he  was  principal,for  two  years.  He  was  induced  to  go  to  Troy,  X.  Y. 
and  open  a  boarding  and  day  school  known  as  the  Selleck  School.  It  was 
located  on  First  Street.  Troy,  and  continued  five  years.  In  1855  he  found 
the  school  quarters  too  small  in  Troy  and  returned  to  Norwalk,  where  he 
opened  a  boys'  school  and  continued  "as  principal  until  1888.  During  this 
period  Trinity  College  of  Hartford  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  A.  M. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  Deaconate  in  1865  and  to  the  priesthood  by  Bishop 
Williams  in  1860.  He  served  in  Xorwalk  as  Dr.  Mead's  personal  assistant 
in  St.  Paul  s  parish  for  fourteen  and  a  half  years  and  in  1879  succeeded  to 
the  care  of  the  parish.  He  resigned  its  rectorship  in  1883  but  was  re-elected 
in  1889.  He  kept  up  his  school  to  this  time.  He  agar.i  resigned  in  1891. 
Since  1884  he  has  labored  under  Bishop  Potter  of  Xew  York  as-  Missionary 
in  charge  of  St.  John's  Church  in  Lewisboro,  Westchester  County.  He 
continued  the  work  in  that  place  during  his  second  incumbencv  of  the 
Rectorship  of  St.  Paul's.  He  prepared  and  delivered  an  historical  address 
for  the  centenary  of  St.  Pauls  in  1886.  The  interest  excited  by  the  wealth 
of  materials  of  "this  historical  sermon,  delivered  July  15,  1886,  led  to  the 
greater  historical  work  upon  which  subsequently  he  was  engaged  and 
which  is  known  as  the  Xorwalk  History,  which  abounds  in  interesting 
historical  and  family  records  not  surpassed  by  any  similar  publication  in 
this  country. 

Rev.  Mr.  Selleck  is  the  author  of  many  historical  papers  and  addresses. 
He  has  made  Xorwalk  his  twin  brother,  as  it  were,  and  it  has  been  said  of 
him  that  when  his  last  day  shall  come  he  will  desire  no  other  epitaph  or 
eulogy  than  this— Faithful  to  God,  to  mankind  and  to  Xorwalk. 

His  "personality  is  known  to  every  citizen.  His  former  pupils  scattered 
all  over  the  land  from  ocean  to  ocean  revere  his  name  and  admire  his 
sterling  qualities.  His  devotion  to  the  town  where  he  was  born  is  an 
object  lesson  in  patriotism.  His  assistance  in  the  celebration  of  Xorwalk  s 
250th  Anniversaty  was  memorable  and  the  compiler  of  .this  work  can  testify 
to  his  untiring  zeal  and  energy  in  promoting  the  success  of  that  event. 

May  his  days  be  prolonged  and  his  service  to  Xorwalk  be  always 
appreciated.  S.  K.  \V. 


To  the 
lieu.  Charles  Melbourne  Selleck 

(Historian  of  NorwalK) 

whose    unselfish    labors  and  fidelity  to  his  birthplace  inspired 
and  suggested  many  of  the  features  of  the 

2  5  CUlt  JVimiuersary  Celebration 

of  tit* 
Charter  of  tf|*  ffotott 

SEPTEMBER  8th,  loth,  nth  and  i2th,  1901 

and  to  whom 
ITS  CITIZENS  ARK  UNDER  AN  EVERLASTING 

DEBT  OF  GRATITUDE 
these  pages  are  affectionately 


AS  A  TRIBUTE  OF  FRIENDSHIP  AND  APPRECIATION 

ON   THE   PART   OF   HIS   ASSOCIATES  AND   CO-WORKKRS 

IN  DOING  HONOR  TO 

Bornmlk 


TABLE       OF       CONTENTS 

Biographical  Sketch  of  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck 'i 

Dedication 2 

Preface "7 

Norwalk  Historical  Society t) 

Historical  Sketch  of  Norwalk 13 

First  Day's  Celebration 20 

Historical  Address  by  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck 22 

Discourse  by  Rev.  George  D.  Egbert 37 

Discourse  by  Rev.  J.  McClure  Bellows 47 

South  Norwalk  Congregational  Church 49 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church .  54 

South  Norwalk  Methodist  Church 58 

Sketch  of  St.  Mary's  (Catholic) 61 

St.  Joseph's  (Catholic)  Church 63 

First  Methodist  Church &5 

Grace  Church  of  Norwalk 72 

Christ  Episcopal  of  Westport 76 

Memorial  of  Holy  Trinity,  Westport ; &4 

Saugatuck  Congregational  of  Westport 86 

Second  Day's  Celebration 98 

Franklin  School 98 

Over  River  School IO° 

Middle  Five  Mile  River  School IO1 

East  Norwalk  School IOX 

History  of  the  First  School. IO9 

Centre  School  

The  Public  Assembly "4 

Address  by  Secretary  Blanchard "4 

Address  by  Walter  Seth  Logan lrt> 

Evening  with  Aboriginal  Norwalk Il8 

The  Lesser  Ischoda 

The  Historical  Tableaux 

Third  Day's  Celebration li4 

Historical  Trolley  Ride 

Afternoon  Exercises— September  nth 

"  The  Building  of  Norwalk."     By  Rev.  A.  F.  Beard,  D.  D .  127 
"'A  Sweet  and  Hallowed  Time."     Poem  by  D.  John  Gay- 
lord  Davenport 

'Address  by  Hon.  Orville  H.  Platt. . 

'  The  Home  Gathering ,, •  •  •  •  ••••••• 

Letter  of  W.  T.  Clark,'  of  'Memphis,1  Tenn. 

Letter  of  D.  James  M.  Taylor ......  /.  • 

Up-town  and  Down-town;  by  Rev.  Paul  M.  Strayer. . . . 
Address  by  Rev.  Chas.  M.  Belden,  of  Wilton 


Address  by  Hon.  Edward  H.  Knapp,  of  Bridgeport 172 

Address  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum i?3 

Fourth  Day's  Celebration i?4 

The  Military  and  Civic  Parade i?4 

Norwalk's  Patriotic  Record 179 

Names  of  Norwalk  Soldiers  in  Indian  War 179 

Graves  of  Revolutionary  Soldiers 180 

Norwalk  Men  in  War  of  1812 184 

Graves  of  U.  S.  Volunteers,  1861-1865 185 

Names  of  Norwalk  Men  in  Spanish  American  War,  1898. . .  193 

Military  History  of  Norwalk 196 

South  Norwalk  Ladies'  Patriotic  Society,  1861-65 206 

Norwalk  Chapter  of  the  D.  A.  R 211 

Education  in  Norwalk  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.     By  A. 

Blanchard 214 

District  School  Committees :  1854-1901 227 

South  Norwalk  Union  School  District 230 

Springwood  Union  Sunday  School 234 

Northwest  School 236 

West  Norwalk  School  District 239 

South  Five  Mile  River  School 243 

Civic  Progress — Commercial  Navigation 244 

Commercial  Statistics 252 

Banking  in  Norwalk.     By  Eben  Hill,  Esq 254 

St  Paul's  Church 268 

Other  Churches 269 

Advent  Christian  Church 270 

South  Norwalk  Baptist  Church 271 

Hungarian  Reformed  Church 273 

Hungarian  Congregational  Church 273 

First  Baptist  Church 274 

The  Legal  Profession  of  Old  Norwalk 280 

Some  Old  Homes  in  Norwalk  288 

The  Borough  of  Norwalk 306 

The  City  of  Norwalk 308 

South  Norwalk  Public  Library 312 

Town  of  Norwalk  Vital  Statistics 319 

Benevolent  Orders — Masonic 320 

Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 326 

Woman's  Relief  Corps 328 

O.  S.  Ferry  Commandery 328 

Norwalk  Chapter  D.  A.  R.     Objects 328 

Founders  and  Patriots.     Objects 329 

Officers  of  the  Historical  Society 330 

Central  Club 330 

Women's  Club 330 

Friday  Afternoon  Club 331 

4 


The  Norwalk  Club ; 331 

South  Norwalk  Club 332 

Various  Clubs  and  Associations 333-334 

Temperance  Organizations 335 

Lodges  and  Chapters  and  Commandery's 336-337 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 338 

Norwalk  Hospital  Association 340 

Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  other  societies 341-356 

Norwalk  Industries 357 

Presidential  Vote 380 

City  of  South  Norwalk 381 

ERRATA. 

The  exercises  of  the  school  meeting,  on  the  bottom  of  page 
145,  should  have  been  included  in  the  proceedings  mentioned  on 
page  114. 

On  page  212  the  name  of  Rev.  S.  Parkes  Codman  should 
read  Rev.  S.  Parkes  Cadman. 

Page  280— The  article  upon  the  legal  profession  should  be 
credited  to  Hon.  A,  B.  Woodward. 


R 


HIS  volume  has  been  prepared  under 
the  nominal  direction  of  the  Commit- 
tee on  Statistics  appointed  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Norwalks  Historical  and 
Memorial  Library  association  to  pre- 
serve in  permanent  form  an  account  of 
the  proceedings  and  events  connected  with  the  25oth  an- 
niversary celebration  of  the  charter  of  the  Town  of  Nor- 
walk.  Most  of  the  labor  of  this  compilation  has  devolved 
upon  the  Chairman.  It  is  not  intended  as  a  work  of  preem- 
inent literary  merit.  Whatever  merit  there  is  in  it  belongs 
\vholly  and  solely  to  those  who  have  contributed  to  its 
pages.  Their  names  will  be  found  appended  to  their 
several  sermons,  sketches,  articles,  descriptive  papers  or 
otherwise.  It  is  not  for  a  moment  supposed  that  it  is  free 
from  errors,  or  that  it  is  not  lacking  in  reference  to  sev- 
eral interesting  local  topics  which  might  have  been  ap- 
propriately, exhaustively  and  profitably  included.  No 
apology  is  offered  for  such  omissions.  The  most  persis- 
tent efforts  to  obtain  additional  papers  on  such  themes, 
as  are  omitted,  from  some  of  our  most  gifted  townsmen 
failed  to  secure  their  co-operation.  Apparently  their  nat- 
ural modesty,  so  common  to  the  Norwalks,  prevented 
their  names  from  appearing  in  this  volume.  This  may 
be  and  indeed  is,  a  matter  of  profound  regret  but  it  re- 
flects a  higher  degree  of  credit  upon  those  who  accepted 
the  invitation  to  contribute  to  these  pages.  Future  gen- 
erations will  bless  the  contributers  for  the  descriptive 
and  historical  stories  told  by  each  of  them. 

The  accounts  of  the  celebration  are  mainly  copied 
from  the  local  newspapers  and  it  is  to  the  credit  of  the 
Norwalk  Hour  and  the  Evening  Sentinel  of  South  Nor- 
walk  that  their  work  was  done  so  creditably  that  it 
needed  but  slight  emendation.  The  compiler  expresses 
his  obligations  to  them  for  completeness  of  their  stories. 
Thanks  are  also  due  to  Miss  Angeline  Scott  of  South 


Norwalk  for  her  industrious  researches  and  painstaking 
efforts  to  discover,  utilize  and  formulate  all  sources  of  in- 
formation bearing  upon  the  various  parts  of  the  book. 
Thanks  are  given  also  to  all  who  have  assisted  in  the 
preparation  of  the  work,  as  authors  and  advisers. 

It  is  evident  that  the  material  gathered  by  the  author 
of  the  "Norwalk"  history  has  been  extensively  used  that 
a  word  of  praise  should  be  accorded  to  the  historian. 

The  delay  in  this  publication  is  due  to  several 
causes — principally  to  the  difficulty  of  gathering  the 
material  for  the  various  chapters.  Only  those  who 
have  passed  through  the  ordeal  of  such  a  compilation 
can  understand  the  trials  that  have  come  to  the  com- 
piler in  the  preparation  of  this  volume.  Only  a  small 
portion  of  the  material  offered  for  the  work  has  been 
rejected.  It  has  been  thought  wise  to  issue  the  pub- 
lication without  waiting  for  those  who  at  this  late 
day  are  in  default  in  their  promised  contributions. 

The  compiler  is  responsible  for  the  order  of  arrange- 
ment. For  his  errors  of  judgment  he  solicits  the 
public's  kind  indulgence. 

SAMUEL  RICHARDS  WEED, 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Statistics. 
Norwalk,  July,  1902. 


THE   NORWALKS'    HISTORICAL  AND 
MEMORIAL    LIBRARY    ASSOCIATION 

HE  25oth  anniversary  celebration  of  the 
town  of  Norwalk  owed  its  origin  to  the 
action  of  the  Norwalks'  Historical  and 
Memorial  Library  Association.  The 
plan  and  scope  of  the  celebra- 
tion were  worked  out  by  a  commit- 
tee appointed  nearly  one  year  before 
the  celebration  itself.  Indeed  the 

Association  voted  to  hold  a  public  celebration  of  the 

founding  of  Norwalk,  at  one  of  its  earliest  meetings 

in  1899. 

This  association  was  organized  October  5th,  1898, 

in  pursuance  of  a  call  for  a  public  meeting  signed  by  the 

following  citizens: 


Henry  I.  Hoyt, 
F.  St.  John  Lockwood, 
C.  M.  Selleck, 
Thos.  K.  Noble, 
A.  B.  Woodward, 
Maria  P.  James, 
E.  J.  Hill, 
Russell  Frost, 
Robt.  Van  Buren, 


C.  A.  Quintard, 
E.  Hill, 

John  H.  Ferris, 
Samuel  R.  Weed, 
Edward  Beard, 
Frank  A.  Ferris, 
J.  G.  Gregory, 
J.  R.  Marvin. 
Nellie  S.  Weed. 


The  association  at  its  first  meeting  elected  the  fol- 
lowing officers: 

President — F.  St.  John  Lockwood. 
Vice  President — Frank  A.  Ferris. 
Secretary — Samuel  Richards  Weed. 
Treasurer — John  P.  Treadwell. 

The  number  of  members  enrolled  rapidly  increased 
and  by  the  date  of  the  celebration  the  membership  was 
nearly  one  hundred,  of  whom  a  large  per  centage  were 
Life  members.  Rev.  R.  S.  Storrs,  Rev.  Dr.  A.  J.  F. 
Behrens,  (both  since  deceased)  Robert  D.  Benedict,  Esq., 
and  Chas.  J.  Hoadley,  State  Librarian,  were  made  Hon- 
orary members  by  unanimous  vote  of  the  association. 

On  May  3d,  1899,  the  question  of  celebrating  the 


250th  anniversary  was  referred  to  a  committee.  On  Oc- 
tober 4th,  a  report  of  the  committee  was  presented  out- 
lining a  plan  and  a  written  request  was  also  presented, 
signed  by  the  Selectmen,  that  this  association  take  the 
initiative  in  the  proposed  celebration.  A  larger  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  prepare  further  details,  who  re- 
ported on  November  8,  1890,  a  program  for  the  several 
days.  This  report  contained  several  recommendations 
which  found  their  proper  place  in  the  final  program.  On 
December  I2th,  1900,  the  committee  reported  a  plan 
for  a  celebration  of  the  25oth  anniversary  of  the  found- 
ing of  Nonvalk  on  September  n,  1901,  and  providing  for 
the  appointment  of  special  committees  composed  of  citi- 
zens of  the  Town  of  Norwalk  and  of  members  of  the 
association  to  carry  into  effect  the  details  of  the  plan. 
This  report  was  adopted  and  the  co-operation  of  the 
Selectmen  invited  in  accordance  with  their  official  request 
of  October  4th,  1899.  The  plan  was  communicated  to 
the  Selectmen  and  at  a  public  meeting  it  was  voted  to 
appropriate  $2,500  to  aid  in  the  proposed  celebration. 
On  January  9.  1901,  the  committees  were  appointed  to 
take  charge  of  the  celebration  as  follows: 

Executive  Committee — A.  B.  Woodward,  Chair- 
man. 

Finance  Committee — E.  O.  Keeler,  Chairman. 

Invitation  Committee — C.  M.  Selleck.  Chairman. 

Literary  Exercises  Committee — Rev.  C.  M.  Shelton. 
Chairman. 

Statistics  Committee  —  Samuel  Richards  Weed, 
Chairman. 

Parade  Committee — Gen.  Russell  Frost,  Chairman. 

Program  Committee  —  Samuel  Richards  Weed, 
Chairman. 

Subsequently  in  the  organization  of  these  commit- 
tees some  changes  were  made  in  the  chairmanships  and 
as  the  work  progressed  a  large  number  of  committees 
were  appointed  to  sub-divide  the  labor.  Great  credit  is 
due  to  all  the  committees  who  labored  faithfully  to  carry 
out  their  several  duties.  The  record  of  the  celebration 
and  its  brilliant  success  in  every  detail  of  the  program 
furnish  the  strongest  tribute  to  their  untiring  zeal  and 
labor.  Their  work  was  done  faithfully  and  for  the  honor 
of  our  town. 

The  Norwalks'  Historical  and  Memorial    Library 
10 


Association  became  an  incorporated  society  by  an  act 
of  the  Legislature  approved  May  2d,  1899. 

Its  meetings  are  held  on  the  second  Wednesday  of 
March,  June,  September  and  December.  Its  officers  are 
the  same  as  are  above  given  with  the  exception  that  John 
H.  Ferris  is  now  Vice  President,  in  place  of  Frank  A. 
Ferris,  who  declined  a  re-election.  The  association  is 
already  the  possessor  of  many  valuable  historic  relics, 
and  its  object  is  to  acquire  and  preserve  such  memorials 
of  the  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history  and  of  later 
periods  as  should  by  right  remain  in  Norwalk.  By 
hearty  co-operation  in  these  objects  a  collection  may  be 
secured  which  will  be  invaluable  to  posterity,  and  it  is  not 
regarded  as  a  vissionary  project  that  the  association  may 
some  day  own  its  own  building  and  have  suitable  rooms 
for  the  display  of  its  historic  treasures. 


BY  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  STATE 
OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Incorporating  the  Norwalk  Historical  and  Memorial 
Library  Association. 

Resolved  by  this  Assembly: 

Section  i.  Tha't  F.  St.  John  Lockwood,  Frank  A.  Fer- 
ris, Charles  M.  Selleck,  Thomas  K.  Noble,  Nellie  S. 
Weed,  Robert  Van  Buren,  Samuel  Richards  Weed,  Asa 
B.  Woodward,  Russell  Frost,  James  G.  Gregory,  John 
P.  Treadwell  and  Chas.  A.  Quintard  and  all  other  present 
members  of  the  Norwalk  Historical  and  Memorial  Liter- 
ary Association,  a  voluntary  association,  now  existing  in 
the  town  of  Norwalk,  and  such  other  persons,  as  may  be 
associated  with  them,  are  hereby  constituted  a  body  po- 
litic and  corporate  by  the  same  name  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  and  encouraging  Historical  and  Geneological 
research  in  said  town  and  for  the  further  purpose  of  pro- 
moting useful  knowledge  in  said  town  and  its  vicinity. 
Section  2.  Said  corporation  may  purchase,  receive,  hold, 
sell  and  convey  real  and  personal  estate  for  the  purposes 
of  its  organization,  which  property  while  owned  by  it  and 
used  for  or  contributing  to  the  promotion  of  said  purpose 
shall  be  free  from  taxation,  except  such  part  of  its  real 
estate  as  may  be  leased  or  rented  for  other  purposes. 
Section  3.  Said  corporation  may  make  and  carry  into 


effect  such  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  not  inconsistent 
with  the  laws  of  the  State,  concerning  the  number  of  its 
members,  the  manner  in  which  they  shall  be  chosen,  the 
care  and  management  of  its  property  and  affairs  and 
generally  for  the  promotion  of  its  objects,  as  shall  from 
time  to  time  be  deemed  necessary  or  proper. 
Approved  May  2,  1899. 
A  true  copy. 

HUBER  CLARK, 

Secretary  of  State. 


INTRODUCTORY 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  NORWALK. 

LARGE  portion  of  the  territory  which 
constitutes  the  present  town  of  Nor- 
walk  was  the  purchase  from  the  Abori- 
gines, in  1640,  by  Roger  Ludlow,  a 
New  England  immigrant,  in  1630, 
from  old  England.  Mr.  Ludlow's 
purchase  (February  26th,  1640)  em- 
braced the  Norwalk  lands  lying 
east  of  Norwalk  or  Norwalk  River  and  on  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  the  following  April,  Daniel  Patrick  a  fellow- 
passenger  with  Ludlow  to  America  and  a  Ludlow  fellow. 
Pequot  fighter  in  New  England,  bought  from  the  In- 
dians, that  portion  of  the  town  of  Norwalk  which  now 
lies  west  of  the  Norwalk  river,  the  northern  limit  of  both 
purchases  being  a  point  some  twelve  miles  north  from 
"the  Sea."  (Long  Island  Sound). 

Ten  years  intervened  between  the  Indian  sale  and 
the  English  settlement  of  the  town.  Daniel  Patrick  met, 
during  this  period,  with  a  violent  death  but  Mr.  Ludlow 
maintained,  all  this  while,  a  residence  in  Fairfield,  de- 
signing, it  would  appear,  that  Norwalk  should -be  the  ul- 
timate home  of  his  two  sons  for  whose  use  he  reserved,  in 
his  agreement  with  the  settlers,  in  1650,  two  of  the  most 
available  residence  lots  in  the  plantation. 

That  Mr.  Ludlow's  purchase  and  subsequent  sale  of 
Norwalk  was  something  more  than  a  mere  commercial 

[The  accompanying  testimony  under  the  date  of  June  15,  1687,  is 
worthy  of  preservation 

"  I  Thomas  Fitch  of  Norwalke,  doe  testify  that  about  the  yeare  1660, 
1  heard  Mr.  Ludlow  formerly  of  Fairfield,  say  that  Norwalke  had 
libertie  from  the  Court  with  Fairfield  Deputies  consent,  to  purchase 
a  tract  of  land  lying  npon  the  east  side  of  Soaketuck  River  and  that 
against  Compoe  Rocks,"  etc.] 

transaction  seems  supposable  from  the  tenor  of  his  1650 
"agreement"  proper  with  the  on-coming  planters.  He 
himself  appears  to  have  affixed  Sundry  "conditions,"  one 
of  which  in  conformity,  perhaps,  to  a  Colonial  regulation 
of  his  own  framing,  ran  that  some  thirty  families  at  least 
must  constitute  the  settling  community,  that  these  must 
be  "approved"  and  that  an  "orthodox"  minister  must  be 

13 


placed  over  them,  in  which  connection  it  is  interesting 
to  note  that  the  first  Norwalk  minister's  wife  was  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  Ludlow's  New  England  partner  and 
Windsor  neighbor  and  close  friend. 

It  is  a  tradition  that  the  earliest  Norwalk  comers, 
led  by  the  surveyors,  Richard  Olmsted  and  Richard 
Webb,  cut  their  way  through  the  forests  lying^  between 
Hartford  and  Norwalk  and  fording  the  Saugatuck  some 
two  miles  from  its  mouth  arrived} first  at  the  "Rocks" 
from  whence  after  a  brief  tarry  they  wended  in  a  souther- 
ly direction  and  finally  established  themselves  in  what  is 
now  known  as  East  Norwalk  building,  it  is  believed, 
their  "companie  house"  close  by  the  ancient  "Fairfield 
Path"  which  is  in  1901  denominated  "Fort  Point  Street." 
The  street  called  to-day  East  Avenue  was  Norwalk's 
primus  path.  Along  it  the  settlers  built  their  first  dwell- 
ings and  the  original  proprietors  limited  their  growth  on 
this  path  or  street  to  the  upper  end  of  "Goodman  Hoyt's" 
or  "Meeting  House"  hill.  This  was  the  extreme  north- 
ern boundry  of  the  original  settlement  which,  however, 
soon  transcended  this  boundary  and  extended  quite  to 
the  northward,  reaching  in  1664,  the  "Whitney  Mill"  at 
the  foot  of  the  "Mill  Hill"  of  the  current  year. 

Ludlow's  purchase  of  Norwalk  was  at  about  the  date 
of  the  distinguished  man's  removal  from  Windsor  to 
Fairfield  This  occurred,  it  is  probable,  some  time  in 
1639,  and  within  the  next  year  Norwalk  was  his  owner- 
ship. During  the  ten  years  purchase  and  settlement  in- 
terim Ludlow  was  busied  with  court  and  other  matters, 
but  did  not,  it  would  seem,  entirely  forget  his  possession 
en  the  hither  side  of  the  Sasco.  The  pioneer  settlers  ar- 
rived during  1650-51,  and  on  Septemper  n,  1651,  their 
new  home  was  "ordered  to  be  a  towns."  Empowered 
now  "to  sue"  and  eligible  to  "be  sued,"  the  little  "com- 
panie" entered  upon  the  sea  of  corporate  existence. 
Proper  officials  were  chosen  and  in  1652  their  first  minis- 
ter, Rev.  Thomas  Hanford,  was  called.  This  well  fur- 
nished man  here  remained  and  ministered  for  somewhat 
over  fifty  years.  The  town  gradually  grew  in  population 
and  its  settlement  limits  gradually  spread.  "Parish"  off- 
shoots— Wilton,  Canaan,  Saugatuck — anon  sprang  from 
the  parent  stock  and  the  towns  "centre"  was  transferred 
from  its  cradle  (East  Norwalk)  to  "the  point  of  the 
rocks, "  afterward  many  years  known  as  "The  Bridge," 
now  Norwalk  proper.  The  enterprising  and  expanding 
city  of  the  South  Norwalk  of  1901  bore,  for  a  long  period 


the  name  of  "Old  Well/'  the  settlers  designation  of  the 
same  territory  being  "Over  the  River."  Besides  the 
Nor  walk  and  South  Nor  walk  of  the  present  century  East 
Norwalk  has  grown  to  comprise  a  large  and  important 
constituency,  and  West  Norwalk,  Broad  River,  Silver 
Mine,  Winnipauke  and  Cranbury  are  flourishing  sec- 
tions and  districts,  the  interest-history  of  which  places 
is  elsewhere  in  this  work  presented. 

The  English  history  of  Norwalk  opens  with  the  pur- 
chase of  the  place  from  the  Indians,  in  1640,  by  Roger 
Ludlow.     The  territory,  however,  was  not  English — oc- 
cupied until  ten  years  afterward,  during  which  decade- 
interim  its  owner  resided  in  Fairfield  and  was  busied  in 
public  matters.     Depredations  by  the  red  men  to  the 
west  of  his  Fairfield  home  caused  concern  on  Ludlow's 
part  and  nothing  was  done  in  the  direction  of  peopling 
his  purchase  until  1650.     It  appears  to  have  been  the 
Ludlow  design  to  start,  for  political  or  prudential  rea- 
sons,   a    settlement  between    "the    plantacon    beyond" 
(Stamford)  and  his  own  new  found  home  in  Fairfield.    A 
wilderness  zone  of  nearly  twenty  miles  breadth  separated 
the  two  places,  portions  of  which  zone,  nevertheless,  were 
fertile  and  its  average  twelve  miles  longitude  coursed  by, 
at  that  day,  three  fine  streams,  viz.,  the  Saugatuck,  Nor- 
walke  and  Rowalton  rivers.     Ludlow  was  keen  sighted 
and  far  seeing  and  as  there  was  a  somewhat  disturbed 
condition  of  things  in  the  recently  New  Haven  planted 
colony  at  Stamford  and  as  the  "Lords  Waste"  between 
Stamford  and  Fairfield  would  constitute  a  constant  In- 
dian menace  to  the  projected  enterprise  which  had  the 
latter  place  for  its  center  the  rival  Hartford  proprietor 
seems  determined,  (not  that  he  coveted  the  uninviting 
area  but  for  policy  or  protections  sakes,)  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  eventual  establishment  of  another  plantation 
midway  twixt  Fairfield  and  Stamford.     The  careful  stu- 
dent of  that  period  and  of  that  personage  can  hardly  fail 
to  be  impressed  with  the  story  of  the  time  and  of  the  man 
in  question.     Ludlow  first  knew  of  this  portion  of  the 
colony  through  his  own  and  Daniel  Patrick's  fellow  sol- 
dierlife  hereat.      The  two  were  old  acquaintances  and 
brother  Indian  fighters  and  had  together  pursued  the  foe 
as  far  west  as  Sasqua  (Southport),  and  when,  two  years 
later,  the  Hartford  court  commissioned  the  former  to 
establish  a  colony  at  Pequonnock  (Bridgeport)  it  was 
natural  for  him,  upon  reaching  the  spot  and  finding  in- 
sufficient or  inferior  cattle  accommodations  to  move  a 


15 


little  on  to  the  highly  pleasing  and  productive  levels  of 
the  Uncowa  (Fairfield)  of  his  twenty  or  so  months  before 
administration  and  love.  It  is  lawful  to  presume  that 
even  now  the  sagacious  Ludlow  had  Norwalk  in  mind. 
In  the  spring  of  1639  his  stone  residence  at  Windsor  was 
"drowned  deep"  (Connecticut  River  freshet)  and  in  that 
same  fall  he  removed  to  Fairfield  and  only  the  next  Feb- 
ruary purchased  a  part  of  Norwalk  which  act  was  suc- 
ceeded, a  few  weeks  after,  by  the  acquirement  of  the  other 
half  of  Norwalk  by  his  companion,  Patrick.  That  Lud- 
low was  somewhat  familiar,  in  1640,  with  Norwalk  geo- 
graphy is  surmised  from  that  years  deed  described  boun- 
daries and  that  his  interest  in  the  spot  was  continuous 
may  reasonably  be  inferred  from  his  purchase  (ten  years 
after  the  1640  transaction  and  a  few  months  prior  to  his 
Norwalk  covenant  in  1650)  of  Salem  (Lewisboro,  N.  Y.) 
which  added  acquisition,  he  included  in  his  generous 
"make  over"  to  the  Norwalk  company,  under  date  of 
June  19,  1650,  an  instrument  which  admits  of  nothing  of 
a  gain-greedy  but  only  a  comity  and  friendly  interpreta- 
tion. Mr.  Ludlow  was,  beyond  doubt,  ambitious.  This 
is  about  the  only  charge  which  could  be  brought  against 
him.  He  had  been  reprimanded  for  transcending  on 
some  occasions,  his  authority,  but  when  the  circum- 
stances of  such  "exceeding  of  authority"  on  his  part  are 
critically  examined  we  do  not  wonder  that  the  distant 
court  itself  reversed  its  reprimand.  At  all  events 
it  is  contrary  to  all  sense  to  suppose  that  the  well 
situated  Ludlow  could  have  hungered  and  thirsted 
for  the  mere  gain  or  glory  of  the  ownership 
of  the  savage  infested  tract,  which  skirted,  both 
sides,  the  Saugatuck  and  Norwalk  river  banks.  The 
case  does  not  reasonably  admit  of  a  doubt  that  Ludlow's 
primeal  object  in  buying  Norwalk  was  part  of  a  digested 
plan  and  that  he  had  patiently  watched  and  waited  for 
Norwalks  peopling  hour  to  arrive.  The  very  covenant 
conditions  he  imposed  upon  the  new  company,  several 
of  whom  were  his  personal  acquaintances,  the  reserva- 
tion of  the  best  lot  in  the  whole  acreage  for  the  use  of  his 
two  sons,  and  the  care  the  godly  man  would  have  the 
planters  exercise  in  the  choice  of  their  first  minister 
(whose  wife  was  the  daughter  of  his  business  partner  and 
neighbor  and  intimate  old  and  new  world  friend)  em- 
phasizes the  claim  that  is  made  for  the  distinguished 
jurist  to  wit  that  he  was  the  designer,  beginner,  orighia- 
tor  and  consequently  honored  founder  of  this  town. 


16 


Norwalk  gradually  outgrew  its  primitive  limitations. 
The  "towns  streete"  was  northward  surveyed  and  worked 
until  Whitney's  Mill  (foot  of  Mill  Hill  of  1901)  was 
reached.  Diverging  from  that  "streete"  at  a  point  (pres- 
ent Morgan  avenue)  two  paths  conducted,  one  to  "Cran- 
berry plains"  and  the  other  (Fance  street)  to  the  Rocks. 
The  settlers  found,  upon  their  arrival,  two  "ways"  already 
worked  and  more  or  less  trodden.  The  first  was  the 
Fairfield  and  Stamford  path  and  the  second,  "Ponasses 
path,  conducted  to  what  is  now  known  as  New  Canaan. 
Land  was  taken  up  along  these  different  routes  while 
"over  the  river"  (South  Norwalk)  was  by  degrees  tilled 
and  tenanted.  The  original  "common  pasture"  embrac- 
ed the  area  now  covered  by  the  Benedict  Farm,  Pine 
Hill,  'Gregory'  point,  Marvin  Bros,  and  Langdon  proper- 
ties, and  for  a  period  English  and  Indian  shared  its  pos- 
session. "Saugatuck  playne"  was  a  choice  strip  of  ara- 
ble soil  and  "long  lots"  were  anon  laid  out  across  the 
Saugatuck  river.  The  maiden  sixty  or  seventy  years 
Norwalk  life  saw  Saugatuck  (Westport)  opened,  Rowai 
ton  (Five  Mile)  tenanted,  Canaan  parish  well  under  way, 
Wilton  well  settled,  Danbury  formed  and  Ridgefield  pro- 
jected. These  places,  all  have  grown  and  from  that  day 
been  in  the  ascendant.  Their  pioneers  were,  as  a  class, 
hardy  and  honest  and  religious  and  lovers  of  freedom. 
They  did  good  foundation  work  and  laid,  strongly  so,  the 
corner  stone  of  their  children's  progress  and  prosperity. 
These  children  are  widely  scattered  and  their  mother 
can  point  with  pride  to  what,  not  a  few  of  them,  have 
accomplished. 

The  town  of  Norwalk  is  now  two  hundred  and  fifty 
years  old  and  at  this  notable  age  epoch  embraces  the  two 
municipalities  of  Norwalk  and  South  Norwalk  and  the 
fast  growing  section  known  as  East  Norwalk,  also  the 
West  Norwalk,  Broad  River,  Silver  Mine,  Winnipauk 
and  Cranbury  districts,  numbering  in  all  about  twenty 
thousand  souls.  There  are  neat  and  several  pretentious 
churches  and  chapels  all  over  the  Norwalks  and  the 
towns  public  and  private  schools  show  good  results  and 
stand  high  in  the  estimation  of  an  appreciative  commun- 
ity. The  board  of  school  visitors  is  a  competent  body, 
the  influence  of  which  is  a  determinate  quantity  in  the 
weal  of  the  institutions  under  its  management.  Theol- 
ogy, law  and  medicine  have  and  have  had  able  represen- 
tatives in  Norwalk.  Letters  have  here  a  field  and  culture 
has  here  a  province  and  two  skillfully  and  successfully 

17 


superintended  libraries  attest  to  the  gaining  power  of 
literature  and  inspire  the  hope  that  it  may  here  hold 
court  gradually  become  a  general  characteristic  of  the 
community. 

The  city  of  Norwalk  comprises  the  towns  centre. 
Here  is  the  seat  of  artizanistic  enterprise,  of  a  considera- 
ble number  of  mercantile  houses  of  greater  or  less 
strength,  of  three  banks  of  deposits  and  discount  and  two 
savings  institutions,  of  insurance,  financial,  benevolent 
and  other  local  interest  offices,  lodges,  etc.,  and  the  site 
of  many  homes  of  the  descendants  of  the  first  settlers. 

The  city  of  South  Norwalk  covers  the  lower  portion 
of  the  old  township  and  is  a  commendable  and  exception- 
al example  of  the  true  spirit  of  progress.  Its  large  bank- 
ing houses  and  business  capital,  its  commodious  offices, 
fine  hotels  and  stores,  its  iron  and  lock  works  and  nu- 
merous important  factories  and  "yards"  and  its  wide 
awake  people  are  features  which  distinguish  the  south- 
ernmost of  the  twin  Norwalk  cities. 

East  Norwalk,  the  town's  cradle,  is  fast  on  the  way 
to  become  what  the  fathers'  original  scheme  probably 
contemplated  to  make  of  it,  a  town  centre.  Its  develop- 
ment is  surprising  and  its  future  rank  in  the  Norwalks  it 
is  not  difficult  to  forcast. 

Winnipauk  depends,  largely,  upon  wool  and  cotton 
mill  interests,  Silver  Mine,  Broad  River,  West  Nor- 
walk and  Cranbury  are,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  farm- 
ing districts  and  Rowayton  is  the  seat  of  a  prosperous 
sea  and  shell  fish  business. 

Norwalk  is  an  "antiquated"  but  quite  the  opposite 
of  a  "reducedly"  antiquated  New  England  town.  Its 
hills  are  commanding  view  points,  its  lesser  heights 
splendid  building  eminences  and  its  levels  and  valleys 
form  charming  home  seats.  Its  market  centres  are 
feasibly  located,  its  industry  plants  well  placed  and  its 
residential  quarters  conveniently  and  delightfully  sit- 
uated. The  town  is  accessible,  there  being  convenient 
water  ways  and  rail  communication  with  New  York  al- 
most every  hour  of  the  working  day  and  with  Boston 
several  times  every  twenty-four  hours.  Tramway  service 
is  very  perfect,  gas  and  electricity  are  illuminating 
agents,  the  postal  telegraphic  and  telephonic  facilities  are 
perhaps  all  that  could  be  wished  and  the  press  is  very  in- 
telligently and  energetically  supervised.  There  is  public 
water,  and  an  efficient  police,  and  excellent  sewerage  and  a 
complete  fire  system,  and  good  roads  and  fine  scenery  and 

18 


a  pure  atmosphere  and  a  rich  history.  Nature  has  dealt 
generously  by  the  town  and  God  has  blest  the  ancient 
patrimony.  Under  the  shadow  of  the  Divine  Wing  two 
and  one  half  centuries  have  now  been  passed  and  beneath 
the  same  hovering  may  every  present  and  future  son  and 
(laughter  of  the  fond  old  inheritance  securely  and  happily 
dwell  until  shall  cease  the  flux  of  human  years  and  the 
flow  of  human  generations.  C.  M.  S. 


FIRST  DAY,  SEPTEMBER  EIGHTH 


quarter-millenial  celebration  of  the 
founding  of  the  town,  was  officially 
opened  at  the  meeting  house  of  "ye 
Prime  Ancient  Society,"  on  the  Green, 
Sunday,  September  Eighth. 

This  church,  whose  history  is  con- 
temporaneous with  that  of  the 
town,  was  handsomely  decorated 
for  the  occasion.  The  front  was  gay  with 
national  flags  and  bunting  and  the  streamers  in  the  cen- 
ter reached  far  over  the  main  entrance.  Inside  the  tri- 
color with  the  stars  adorned  every  pillor  and  extended 
from  seats  to  gallery.  Intermingled  were  rosettes  of 
red,  white  and  blue.  The  organ  was  also  touched  up 
with  the  tri-color. 

From  far  and  near  the  people  came  as  the  hour  of 
service  approached.  It  was  a  union  service  in  truth. 
In  addition  to  the  home  people  there  were  many  faces 
present  from  the  daughter  towns  of  Westport,  New  Ca- 
naan and  Wilton,  and  they  vied  with  the  mother  resi- 
dents in  rendering  tribute  to  the  anniversary. 

While  the  celebration  was  not  officially  commenced 
until  the  afternoon,  yet  it  in  reality  opened  at  the  morn- 
ing services  in  all  the  churches,  where  fitting  references 
were  made  to  the  anniversary. 

Norwalk  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  were  prominent  in  front 
pews,  wearing  the  badges  of  the  order.  Seats  were  also 
reserved  for  members  of  the  executive  committee. 

Promptly  at  3  o'clock  Edward  J.  Sims  appeared  at 
the  big  organ  and  gave  an  excellent  rendition  of  the 
Finale  of  the  Fourth  Sonata  by  Guilmant. 

Then  followed  the  chorus,  "O  God,  Beneath  Thy 
Guilding  Hand,"  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Alexander 
S.  Gibson,  who  had  charge  of  the  music  of  the  day. 

Rev.  George  Drew  Egbert,  pastor  of  the  church, 
then  gave  the  invocation,  which  was  followed  by  Buck's 
Festival  Te  Deum  in  E  flat. 

Rev.  Mr.  Egbert  then  led  in  the  responsive  read 
ing  from  Psalm  107:  "O  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for 
He  is  good ;  for  His  mercy  endureth  forever." 

This  was  followed  by  the  Gloria  Patri,  by  Greatorex, 
and  then  came  Hymn  658,  "Thou  by  heavenly  hosts 
adored." 

90 


Rev.  Mr.  Egbert  led  in  prayer,  which  was  one  of 
thankfulness.  Reference  was  made  in  it  to  the  shadow 
that  had  fallen  upon  the  nation,  and  a  supplication  for 
President  McKinley's  recovery,  as  follows: 

Lift  up  your  heads,  Oh  ye  gates,  and  be  ye  lifted  up 
ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  come 
in.  Who  is  this  King  of  'Glory?  The  Lord  of  Hosts, 
He  is  the  King  of  Glory. 

Oh,  Lord  God,  Almighty,  we  adore  Thee,  before 
Whom  angels  veil  their  faces  and  archangels  are  silent. 
Thou  art  the  God  of  battles,  presiding  in  majesty  over 
the  destinies  of  nations  that  strive  together  for  mastery. 
Thou  art  the  God  of  Peace,  bending  in  benediction  over 
clasped  hands  and  hearts  that  beat  in  harmony.  Thou 
didst  set  the  stars  in  motion  around  the  central  sun,  find- 
ing high  praise  in  the  rythmic  music  of  their  circling. 
Thou  didst  look  with  love,  when  in  obedience  to  thy  bid- 
ding, the  flowers  of  the  field  first  nodded  to  greet  the  sun- 
beam. Thy  providence  is  mysterious  in  its  distances, 
yet  the  smallest  of  thy  'creatures  know  Thy  tender  touch. 
Thine  Almightiness  alike  "wings  an  angel  and  guides  a 
sparrow."  , 

Because  Thou  art  great  we  adore  Thee.  Because 
Thou  art  good  we  love  Thee.  We  rehearse  with  ring- 
ing voices  Thy  kindness  shown  through  the  years,  as 
they  have  lengthened  into  centuries;  a  kindness  that  has 
been  told  to  Thy  children  in  mighty  forests  for  their 
building,  splendid  fields  for  their  tilling,  copious  showers 
for  their  refreshment  and  glowing  sunlight  for  their  joy. 
Finer  fruits  have  been  ours  than  grapes  of  Eschol,  finer 
landscapes  than  the  glowing  pictures  unveiled  from 
Pisgah.  Thy  kindness  has  been  told,  too,  in  large  de- 
liverances from  savagery,  noble  conquests  for  freedom, 
and  the  final  culmination  in  a  government  of  the  people, 
by  the  people,  and  for  the  people. 

For  the  storied  past  we  are  grateful,  for  the  pro- 
phecy of  romance  and  revelation,  we  are  grateful,  and 
may 'we  iwho  stand  midway  between  the  past  and  the 
future,  between  sunrise  and  sunset,  take  our  place  in  the 
hurrying  line  of  those  who  find  their  highest  inspiration 
in  the  love  of  the  Nazarene  and  make  their  own  the  pas- 
sionate prayer,  Thy  Kingdom  Come. 

Remember  us  just  now  when  a  shadow  has  fallen 
across  the  flag  we  love  :  may  it  be  the  passing  cloud  that 
hides  the  sun  for  but  a  little',  and  may  the  banner  under 
which  our  forefathers  clustered  once  more  wave  unsha- 


dowed.  God  spare  our  President  if  it  be  the  Divine  will ; 
God  tenderly  cherish  the  wife  of  his  long  devotion ;  may 
this  dire  disaster  but  impress  the  influence  of  his  noble 
manhood  upon  the  multitudinous  people  of  this  great 
nation.  In  the  name  of  the  Great  Redeemer,  the  Tried 
Friend,  Jesus  Christ. 

The  festival  anthem,  composed  especially  for  this 
occasion,  by  Prof.  Gibson,  was  next  on  the  program,  and 
was  excellently  rendered.  Mrs.  Lillian  Sherwood-New- 
kirk  sang  the  soprano  solo  with  much  feeling  and  effect. 

Rev.  Charles  M.  Selieck,  Norwalk's  able  historian, 
then  preceded  with  this  memorial  address: 

In  the  name  of  the  everlasting  God ;    Amen. 

Behold  this  stone  shall  be  la  witness  unto  you — 
Joshua,  Chapter  XXIV.,  portion  of  verse  27. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  as  its  brilliance  increases 
as  the  planet  approaches  the  sun  so,  at  the  close  oi 
Joshua's  career,  when  mortal  life  was  soon  to  end  in 
glorious  immortaliay,  his  very  words  seemed  intensity- 
invested. 

Now,  because  the  text's  syntax,  the  language,  in 
part,  of  that  hero's  valedictory,  is  terse,  and  pertinent,  we 
venure  to  borrow  it  as  a  base  to  our  remarks  believing 
that  the  occasion  vindicates  the  venture. 

"Behold  this  stone  shall  be  a  witness  unto  you/' 

This  service,  inaugurating  as  it  does,  the  celebration 
of  the  attainment  to  a  querter-millenial  years'  age  of  one 
of  the  patrimonies  of  the  Western  Continent,  a  patri- 
mony which  prior  to  the  imprint  of  an  English  foot-form 
in  its  soil  was  even  then  denominated  Norwalke,  this 
service  and  the  observances  to  which  it  introduces  wit- 
ness to  the  intelligence,  intrepidity  and  integrity  which, 
under  God,  contributed  to  the  successful  founding  of 
this  cherished  settlement  of  our  reverence  and  affection. 

In  a  formal  greeting  to  his  fatherland  Lescarbot 
began  thus,  "Beautiful  eye  of  the  universe,  ancient  home 
of  letters ;  recourse  of  the  afflicted ;  firm  support  of  re- 
ligion ;  very  dear  mother." 

Lescarbot,  who  was  not  apostrophising  Nonvalk, 
although  his  words  have  Nonvalk  application,  bore  felt 
and  fervent  testimony  in  relation  to  his  home  hearth, 
and  no  less  fervent  ought  our  witness,  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  this  ancient  plantation  now  to  prove.  We  are 
commemorating  the  genesis  of  one  of  the  most  creditable 
organizations  and  ancestry  cradles  in  the  land,  and  nat- 
ive Norwalk  deserves  of  her  offspring,  the  Abbot,  Bar- 


num,  Betts,  Benedict,  Bouton,  Campfield,  Church,  Corn- 
stock,  Ely,  Fitch,  Ferris,  Gregory,  Hanford,  Hayes, 
Holmes,  Hoyt,  Keeler,  Kellogg,  Lockwood,  Marvin, 
Nash,  Olmstead,  Platt,  Raymond,  Reed,  Richards, 
Scribner,  Seymour,  St.  John  and  Webb  galaxy,  deserves 
of  her  entire  offspring  that  every  eye  should  be  animated 
and  every  heart  and  hand  and  home  open. 

When  we  reflect  upon  the  Ludlow  "agreement"  res- 
pectability ;  when  we  ponder  the  pioneers'  management 
discretion,  dividing  up  labors  so  evenly  and  sharing 
minor  performances  so  equally ;  keeping  the  home  cen- 
ter strong  and  enterprisingly  sending  out  sturdy  repre- 
sentatives east,  west  and  north  as  far  as  the  Oblong; 
when  we  remember  our  Indian  and  French  and  Indian, 
and  Revolutionary  quota,  and  the  loyalty  of  our  men 
back  as  far  as  Saybrook  days  and  later  at  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point,  when  we  summon  up  our  Revolution- 
ary men,  not  to  mention  those  of  1812  and  of  the  Civil 
War,  our  witness,  the  witness  at  this  time  of  all  Nor- 
walkers  should  be  a  royal  one,  and  the  thought  of  the 
possibility  of  anything  less,  the  thought  that  we  who 
have  been  nourished  /at  such  a  breast  and  borne  upon 
such  a  bosom  and  are  possessed  of  such  a  story  could 
pass  such  a  history,  at  such  a  time,  indifferently  by, 
would,  it  seems  to  us,  be  a  blow  to  a  manly  nature. 

Breathes — slightly  changing  the  diction — 
Breathes  there  a  Norwalk  son, 
With  soul  so  ,dead, 
Who  never  to  himself  hath  said, 
This  is  my  own,  my  native  town? 

On  the  contrary,  we  would  fain  trust  that  our 
depth-feeling  to-day  is  voiced  in  those  two  lines  of 
Browning: 

Open  my  heart  and  you  will  see 
Graven  inside  of  it — Italy. 

Utilitarianism  may  possibly  look  askance  at  this 
and  deem  it  sentiment.  Be  it  so.  Sentiment  is  not  al- 
ways ineffective ;  it  plays  a  part  in  this  planet's  diurnal 
relations. 

Aye,  if  Capt.  Hezekiah  Betts's  tears,  as  he  is  said 
to  have  sat  one  uncelebrated  Independence  Eve  long  ago 
on  his  France  street  stoop  and  wept  because  unkindled 
bonfires  and  unbooming  cannon  and  unreverberating 


bells  evidenced,  what  the  aged  veteran  seemed  to  inter- 
pret they  evidenced,  that  his  comrades's  liberty  struggles 
had  been  forgotten;  or  if  a  prolonged  and  persistent 
communication  which  is  preserved  in  this  town,  in  rela- 
tion to  one  of  Norwalk  fatherhood  not  yet  in  his  teens, 
James  Alexander  Perry,  in  recognition  of  which  boy's 
bravery  Congress  took  action ;  or  if  her  enthusiasm,  the 
wife  of  the  beloved  Presbyterian  pastor  for  over  fifty 
years  of  Pound  Ridge,  N.  Y.,  if  Mrs.  William  Patterson's 
remembrance-warmth  of  her  grandfather,  a  son  of  this 
church  of  which  his  parent  was  a  deacon,  and  who  was 
very  likely  baptised  from  that  basin  which,  filled  with 
pure  water,  the  eyes  of  more  than  one  here  gathered 
must  have  looked  upon  as  it  used  to  stand,  so  modestly, 
upon  the  plain  communion  table  which  fronted  the  pul- 
pit pillars  in  the  old  church  on  this  Green,  if  said  grand- 
child's memory-zeal  for  Capt.  John  Thatcher,  who,  it  is 
claimed,  raised  and  equipped  a  company  at  his  own  ex- 
pense and  proceeded  with  it  to  Lake  Champlain,  where  he 
commanded  the  galley  Lady  Washington  and  rendered 
such  illustrious  service,  the  enemy,  even,  paying  him  a 
conspicuous  compliment:  or  if  Father  Barnum's  regard, 
Father  Barnum,  whose  eloquence  during  a  recent  pas- 
tor's incumbency  made  St.  Mary's  walls  on  West  avenue 
to  ring,  if  Reverend  Barnum's  lengthened  and  learned 
letter  received  in  this  place  and  appertaining  to  his  hon- 
ored ancestor,  an  officer  of  this  'society,  whose  dooryard 
is  still  well-defined  at  the  foot  of  Strawberry  Hill  and 
whose  grandsire  sleeps  abroad  beneath  a  sculptured 
mausoleum  of  alabaster ;  if  all  this  rightful  and  de- 
lightful respect  for  a  worthful  past ;  if  all  this  patriotic 
feeling ;  if  all  this  standing  up  for  the  dead  as  Dr.  Na- 
thaniel Bouton  in  'his  historical  discourse  fifty  years  ago 
so  splendidly  stood  up  for  the  valiant  departed  and  their 
valor  deeds,  if  all  this  be  sentiment  then  do  we  with  all 
our  might  exclaim  beneficent,  blessed  sentiment ;  and 
would  God  that  bursting  all  bonds  and  bounds  a  flood  of 
it  might  deluge  Norwalk,  for  we  believe  it  would  work 
a  sort  of  moral  regeneration,  and  be  an  uplift  in  the  com- 
munity. 

But  let  us,  delving  a  little  deeper  down  into  this  mat- 
ter of  witness  bearing,  consider  more  precisely  the  sub- 
jects of  our  commemmoration,  and  the  subject  qualities 
we  are  recognizing  at  this  interesting  epoch. 

A  recent  \vriter  describes  the  seventeenth  century 
Puritan  as  one  who  looked  upon  one's  advantages  and 


opportunities  as  trusts  to  be  invested,  and  that  this 
should  have  been  a  characteristic  redounds  to  the  re- 
nown of  -the  Norwalk  founder  constituency  which  was 
not  a  band  of  explorers  altogether,  but  to  a  noticeable 
extent,  of  already  established  colonists  whom  neither 
necessity  nor  an  adventurous  spirit  wholly  drave  or  drew 
to  a  new  home,  but  with  whom  one  spur  to  the  planting 
of  the  settlement  was,  it  is  not  illogical  to  infer,  the  pub- 
lic interest — appeal  addressed  them  by  the  great  Nor- 
walk idea  originator. 

History  when  thoroughly  searched,  teaches  Canon 
Miley,  of  Paris,  will  always  conduct  to  the  right  path. 
Scan  the  Ludlowlian  Norwalk  enactments ;  first  the  pur- 
chase in  1640  and  no  recorded  occupation  hint  thereof 
until  the  "agreement,"  so-called,  in  1650.  Read  be- 
tween the  lines  of  this  paper,  and  answer  whether  the 
"mind"  of  the  genius  whose  associates  abroad  were  none 
the  less  than  Vane  and  Humphrey  and  Venn,  and  on 
this  side  the  Atlantic  Mason,  Maverick,  Hooker,  Steele 
and  Stone,  is  not  apparent.  Who  but  Oliver  Crom- 
well's elect  and  select  commissioner;  who  but  the  po- 
tent destroyer  of  the  Pequot  terrors  and  Saviour,  conse- 
quently of  all  the  New  England  colonies ;  who  but  the 
pious  one  who  wrote  to  Pychon  "we  do  stand  merely  by 
the  power  of  our  God";  who  but  Deputy  Governor 
Roger  Ludlow  may  have  inspired  the  "convenient 
speed"  clause  in  the  Norwalk  compact,  and  the  "ap- 
proved minister"  and  "thirtie  approved  families,"  and 
"obnoxious"  party  paragraphs  in  that  document.  True 
the  pioneers  pledge  back  the  purchase  price,  but  are  we 
sure  that  the  munificent  Ludlow  required  the  paltry 
amount  at  their  hands?  Are  we  confident  that  it  was 
not  their  own  sense  of  propriety  that  demanded  his  ac- 
ceptance of  the  same?  The  paper  of  June  19,  1650,  will 
stand  search-light  examination  and  we  opine  that  pos- 
terity will  constitute  that  day  as  the  date  of  a  Norwalk 
founding  act  if  not  the  date  of  the  Norwalk  founding 
fact. 

We  turn  to  the  "considerable  company"  mentioned 
in  that  document,  reminiscences  concerning  which  are 
instructful.  The  Norwalk  "newcomers"  were  a  sensible, 
serviceable  and  a  forcible  purpose  folk,  purpose 
that  led  to  results ;  and  they  were  a  positive  company ;  * 
company  the  members  of  which  entertained  positive  con- 
victions, and  held  positive  opinions,  and  spake  positively. 
Their  Hartford  pastor  once  compared  a  certain  kind  of 


preaching  to  a  legal  citation  in  which  no  name  appears, 
but  the  Norwalk  members,  unlike  Mr.  Hooker's  name- 
less indictment  meant  and  amounted  to  something. 
People  will  read  you  who  may  not  read  their  Bibles. 
So  a  young  Hartford  convert,  to  whom  the  words  were 
addressed,  was  taught,  and  such  teaching  clinches.  A 
tree  is  known  by  its  fruits  and  the  full  effect  of  old  time 
Norwalk  stock  conscience  and  conduct  fruits  can  no 
more  be  calculated  than  can  their  effect  value  be  figured 
up — dollars  and  cents. 

Robert  Stuart  was  a  live  man.  He  lived  adjoining 
the  present  home  of  Dr.  Augustus  F.  Beard,  but  he  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  "The  Village,"  so  styled,  below 
Old  Well,  where  he  had  a  wharf  and  where  he  kept  an 
eye  open  for  traffic.  Besides  this,  lands  were  called  after 
his  own  name  which  demanded  care.  But  he  was  also 
a  "Ixxrd's  Witness,"  one  of  his  maxim's  reading,  "They 
who  are  in  the  Lord  are  happy  indeed."  His  stalwart 
faith,  ineradicable  perchance  from  his  Scotch  blood  stout- 
ly told  and  the  Yale  tutor  and  Andover  profound  scholar, 
Dr.  Moses  Stuart,  dates  back  to  him  for  heredity,  as  did 
also  the  later  recalled  Matthias  Hubbell,  whose  gray  hairs 
were  a  crown  of  glory,  as  were  the  same  to  his  constant 
and  ever  commendable  contemporary  in  this  house  of 
God,  Evart  Quintard. 

Bouton  Hoyt  had  been  taught  that  it  was  a  sin  to 
break  the  Sabbath  and  Freelove  Wright  a  duty  to  go 
to  church  on  that  day,  and  therefore  when  the  sun  went 
down  on  Saturday  night  the  water  was  shut  off  the  Five- 
Mile  River  raceway  and  everything  was  still  at  the  Hoyt 
mill  until  Monday,  and  when  Sunday  morning  came  the 
wagon  stood  before  the  Wright  home  which,  ere  it  start- 
ed upon  its  dozen  miles'  trip  over  Long  Island  sands, 
was  filled.  Now  to  stand  at  Bouton  Hoyt's  headstone 
and  thereat  retrospect  concerning  the  rigorous  restrain- 
ful  training  in  his  own  case  and  that  of  his  next 
door  neighbor,  Daniel  Weed,  how  it  developed 
strengthful  men  and  prayerful  women  and  con- 
tributed through  these  to  the  world's  betterment, 
sending  out  representatives,  from  the  one  fam- 
ily, to  mould  hearthstone  excellence  at  home  and  run 
excellent  careers  in  India,  and  from  the  other  household 
the  brilliant  William  B.  Weed  to  shepherd  this  church 
and  his  brother,  John  R.,  to  serve  this  community,  or  to 
muse  before  Deniss  Wright's  door  first  in  Loyd's  Neck 
and  after  in  Saugatuck  how  that  the  habit  of  his 

26 


daughter  was  the  leaven  hid  in  the  meat,  one  of  the 
workings  of  which  helped  raise  up  such  God  strivers  and 
lifelong  serviceful  ones  as  were  her  grand-children  Han- 
nah Morgan  and  Andrew  and  Edward  Nash ;  to  ponder 
such  faith-inflexibility  products,  is  to  be  convinced  of  the 
worth  of  this  old  town's  old-time  discipline. 

A  lad  who  by  a  deed  recorded  to  have  been  per- 
formed on  one  of  our  ancient  streets,  thereby  evidenced 
that  he  had  been  a  sturdily  brought  up  Lockwood,  grew 
to  himself  have  a  son  who  had  been  so  stamana  reared 
as  that  while  a  college  student  Peter  Lockwood  still 
made  time  to  further  occupy,  as  the  master  expressed  it, 
one  of  the  fruits  being  the  conversion  of  the  Old  Well 
youth  who  afterward  so  idolizedly  ministered,  for  fifty 
odd  years,  in  Concord,  New  Hampshire. 

We  read  that  Aristole  was  conscientiously  opposed 
to  putting  out  money  at  interest,  the  proof,  if  so,  of  high 
moral  preponderance;  not  higher,  however,  than  was 
the  strict  principle  of  our  "pound  for  pound"  progenitors 
who  may  not  have  lived  and  died  millionaires,  but  who 
really  lived  and  died  richer  than  millionaires,  and  the 
character  and  candor  wholeness  of  whom  was  the  out- 
come of  their  righteous  raising,  which  was  strict,  stern 
and  by  way  of  contrast  severe  indeed,  but  it  is  one  of 
the  recommendations  of  early  New  England  family 
bringing  up  that  it  had  a  strong  viking  vein  running 
through  it,  which  vital  tide  was  fructifying  as  nothing 
of  a  modern  diluted  sort  ever,  it  is  to  be  feared,  can  be. 

We  repeat,  the  Norwdlk  planters  hither  came  duly 
bent.  Among  them  were,  undeniably,  some,  several,  of 
means  and  mind  moderation.  They  were  yeoman  rather 
than,  conventionally  speaking,  noblemen,  nevertheless 
Matthew  Marvin  left  a  well-appointed  home  on  Village 
street,  Hartford,  to  come  to  Norwalk;  and  Nathaniel 
Richards  a  desirable  residence  in  Cambridge  where  he 
had  for  neighbors  New  England  elect  and  elite;  and 
Thomas  Fitch  was  opulent  and  well,  otherwise,  endowed. 
These  men  were  not  dissatisfied  with  the  civil  adminis- 
tration of  affairs  at  the  Colony's  crib,  neither  did  they 
sit  uneasy  under  Thomas  Hooker's  ecclesiastical  ruling, 
and  certainly  they  did  not  come  to  Norwalk  with  power 
on  the  brain,  nor  to  acquire  great  possessions.  It  was 
beyond  doubt  a  sacrifice  on  the  part  of  at  least  a  portion 
of  the  party  to  surrender  the  growing  romfort  which 
Richard  Webb,  Richard  Olmstead  and  Richard  Seymour 
were  indulging  under  the  satisfactory  shaping  of  things 


at  the  capital,  and  to  come  to  the  Mahackemo  wilds  to 
struggle  against  rocks  and  in  swamps  and  where  life  was 
far  from  being  a  bed  of  roses  to  them.  These  men  sought 
an  end  and  this  brought  them  hither.  The  presumable 
Ludlow  argument  that  the  Lord's  waste  between  Stam- 
ford and  Fairfield  afforded  Dutch  and  Indian  manoeu- 
vering  and  marauding  protection  which  English  occupa- 
tion would  prevent,  or  that  this  wilderness  tract  offered 
another  plantation  site  the  tenantcy  of  which  would  be 
a  further  plea  in  the  colonies'  favor  with  Matthew  Crad- 
ock  and  such  other  magnates  as  he  at  the  govern- 
ment seat  across  the  sea  appealed,  most  probably  to  their 
sense  of  responibility  to  which  they  praiseworthily  re- 
sponded. , 

The  character  of  our  Norwalk  fathers,  and  it  was 
men  of  their  identical  brand  who  laid  New  England's 
stable  foundations  and  made  America,  men  of  convic- 
tions which  they  were  not  given  to  recant  and  men  who 
met  the  truth  face  to  face,  will  bear  investigation.  They 
were  a  plain-mannered  folk  and  they  lived  in  a  day  of 
plain  measures.  There  was  no  call  among  them  for 
great  military  daring  any  more  than  there  was  for  gigan- 
tic financial  risking,  nevertheless  the  spirit  of  the  Nor- 
walk veteran  who  in  public  assembly,  and  opposed  to  a 
man  by  the  other  voters  of  that  assembly,  unflinchingly 
— Athanasius  against  the  world — maintaining  his 
ground,  declaring  if  I  am  wrong  in  the  matter  before  us 
I  ought  to  stand  alone,  but  if  right  I  can  afford  so  to 
do,  the  spirit,  we  repeat,  of  this  father  was  every  inch 
as  brave  as  was  that  of  the  Duke  of  Bohemia  who  pro- 
nounced "this  bridge  shall  be  my  way  to  Antwerp  or  it 
shall  be  .my  sepulchre,"  or  that  of  the  dashing  stock  op- 
erator who  flew  up  the  steps  of  the  exchange  flinging 
ringingly  behind  him  "111  reach  the  millions  column  or 
die  in  the  attempt." 

The  avowed  principle  and  veracity  of  our  sires,  who, 
if  frugal,  were  fair,  and  if  not  always  as  liberal  as  they 
might  have  wished,  yet  were  just  and  so,  if  they  could 
not  divide  up  their  previously  Indian  cleared  land  into 
forty  acres  apiece  yet  squarely  made  it  four  acres  all 
around;  their  principle  constancy,  their  impartiality, 
protecting  all  along  their  extended  water  front  the  red 
man's  canoe  as  well  as  the  pale  face's  shallop  anchor- 
age; no  man,  the  decree  ran,  be  he  English  or  Indian, 
shall  disturb  another's  bark;  their  championship  of 
right,  their  keen  apprehension  of  their  obligations ;  their 


zealous  impulses,  for  John  Gregory,  John  Rusco,  John 
Bouton,  Thomas  Betts,  Christopher  Comstock  and  such 
like,  were  no  fossil  treasures,  but  men  of  diligence,  en- 
ergy and  fortitude;  these  as  well  as  their  unswerving 
faith,  and  genuine  piety,  and  appreciation  of  education, 
and  their  patriotism  and  love  of  freedom  gave  them  a 
title  to  respectability,  proved  them  capable  of  larger 
undertakings  and  are  a  memory  which  not  alone  con- 
stitutes their  children's  glory,  but  is,  as  another  says,  cal- 
culated to  help  build  up  those  children  to  the  same  grand 
level  of  honor  and  honesty. 

A  stone  dedicated  to  a  predecessor  of  one  of  these 
foreparents  is  thus  inscribed:  God  sifted  a  nation  in 
order  that  choice  grain  might  be  sent  to  the  wilderness, 
and  the  seed  in  God's  providence  delivered  in  our  Nor- 
walk  field-and-forest-embracings  was  fine. 

Thomas  Hanford,  pastor  primus  of  the  town,  was  a 
scholar  who  fed  his  flock  with  the  manna  of  the  morn- 
ing. A  strong  mind  has  such  a  strong  grasp  that  it  is 
possible  for  it  of  a  titan  to  make  a  peak.  The  Hanford 
family  was  a  power.  The  head  of  it  had  been  college- 
prepared  by  a  master  from  the  Westminster  school  near 
the  Parliament  House,  and  was  so  singularly  and  sus- 
ceptibly endowed  that  even  the  savage  Winnipauke  from 
his  twelve  miles  distant  weird  and  "wild  cat"  wigwam 
was  apparently  led,  as  a  child,  by  his  hand.  He  was 
called  when  young  to  the  new  settlement  and  his  life 
was  spent  in  adherence  to  convincings  which  philosophy 
then  was,  and  which  the  whole  fraternity  of  philosophers 
now  would  probably  have  been,  utterly  powerless  to  sup- 
plant. 

Of  the  first  Mrs.  Hanford's  family  it  is  told  the  town 
came  to  one  of  its  members  to  learn  what  should  be 
done  and  of  the  mother  of  the  family  that  she  was  a  fore- 
parent  who  moved  the  world.  This  woman,  who  died 
in  a  corner  house  the  grass  around  which  home  grows  in 
its  original  plot  in  East  Norwalk  to  this  hour,  married 
the  titled  grandson  of  Ware,  the  historian  of  Ireland, 
and  so  influential  were  her  precepts  and  potent  her  pat- 
tern that  down  to  our  own  day  and  here  on  one  of  our 
streets,  one  of  her  blood  who  chanced,  a  stranger  in  the 
town,  to  tramway  pass  one  of  God's  Norwalk  creations, 
involuntarily,  with  clasped  hands  remarked  its  presence. 
That  crystal  stream  was  to  its  accidental  beholders  inher- 
ited intuitions  a  stream  which  rose  in  Heaven.  Time 
may  dim  and  change  impair,  but  it  is  impossible  to 


wholly  eradicate  such  effective  tuition  as  was  imparted 
by  the  first  minister  of  this  place  and  his  family. 

His  argument  in  defense  of  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  a  bit  of  bulwark-reasoning,  won  for  Dan- 
iel Webster  deathless  terrestrial  fame,  and  had  John 
Warham,  Jonathan  Edwards  or  Thomas  Hanford  sub- 
stituted for  their  masculine  presentation  of  God's  immu- 
table verities  our  many  wheel-and-pulley  parish  appli- 
ances these  giants  would,  in  all  presumability,  from 
thence  have  dated  their  downfall.  That  the  flock  of  one 
of  such  signal  mentality  and  spirituality  as  Thomas  Han- 
ford  should  have  been  benefitted  and  elevated  is  plain 
enough  to  understand  and  was  simply  inevitable. 

And  here  let  us  enter  Norwalk  s  maiden  meeting 
house,  finished  in  not  even  shell  plastered  walls,  pos- 
sibly, and  prudently  provided  with  but  a  single  window 
and  that  on  the  side  opposite  the  swamp  from  which  the 
Indians  were  wont  to  dart  their  arrows,  and  study  the 
composition  of  the  flock  referred  to,  a  flock  which  believed 
a  whole  Bible  and  was  accustomed  to  perpendicular 
preaching  and  concerned  itself  with  no  theory  of  "inter- 
pretation" further  than  the  courageful  one  that  enabled 
them  to  read  "Jehovah  Shammah"  wherever  they  offered 
a  prayer  or  sung  a  hymn,  or  lent  an  ear  to  the  teaching 
of  the  word. 

Here  we  find  Thomas  Fitch  and  Ann  his  wife  of 
family  beyond  the  ocean  of  culture  and  competence. 
Roger  Ludlow  himself  registered  Thomas  Fitch  as  the 
wealthiest  man  in  the  town.  Mr.  Fitch's  father  died 
some  years  before,  having  will-named  as  his  loving 
friends  Thomas  Hooker  and  the  subsequent  founder  of 
Harvard  College. 

Matthew  and  Alice  Marvin  have  seats  in  that  ancient 
building,  and  while  Mr.  Marvin  complied  with  the  con- 
tingency that  demanded  the  performance  of  a  practical 
branch  of  industry  from  him  still  the  court  took  care  to 
commit  the  local  administration  of  justice  to  his  com- 
petent self. 

John  Gregory,  son  of  Henry  of  Boston — there  wor- 
shipped, while  near  to  him  prayed  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Richard  Webb,  whose  husband,  research  indicated,  was 
a  great  grandson  of  a  knight  lisher  of  King  Henry  VIII. 

Thomas  Barnum  walked  a  little  over  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  to  attend  that  sanctuary  and  of  his  accredited  grand- 
father the  monumental  record  in  All  Saints  church,  Hol- 
lingbourne  Hill,  to  this  hour,  runs:  "A  man  on  every 


side  of  gentle  birth,  most  happy  in  the  extreme  piety  of 
his  life  and  death  alike,  on  whom  God  poured  of  this 
world's  gifts  of  nature,  grace  and  honor. 

Richard  Olmsted,  naturally  endowed  and  acquire- 
ment-gifted, was  a  visitor  beneath  that  humble  roof,  and 
so  was  Matthias  St.  John,  of  acknowledged  descent,  and 
Nathaniel  Ely  and  Nathaniel  Richards,  whose  converse 
before  his  Norwalk  residence  was  with  the  eminent  of  the 
land,  and  Ruth  Clark,  sister-in-law  of  the  first  rector  of 
Yale  College,  and  Richard  Raymond,  the  honored  fore- 
father of  five  commodores  in  the  American  Navy. 

Richard  Seymour  was  another  parishioner  of  Mr. 
Hanford  and  about,  if  not  the  earliest  one  who  was  com- 
mitted to  the  Norwalk  earth,  leaving  a  widow  who  wed- 
ded one  of  Connecticut's  renowned  sons  and  thenceforth 
resided  near  the  Colony's  government  seat. 

There  were  some  of  the  progenitors  of  early  Nor- 
walk, all  of  whom  were  numbered  among  Mr.  Hanford's 
own  people — a  people  dominated,  seemingly,  by  the  idea 
implied  in  the  injunction  "drink  deep  or  taste  not."  The 
pastor  had  just  died  and  the  church  was  vacant,  but  at 
least  one  family  had  been  so  thoroughly  taught  that, 
without  waiting  the  choice  of  their  pastor's  successor  its 
members  journeyed  to  Fairfield,  where  the  father  made 
profession  of  his  faith  and  consecrated  his  little  one  to 
the  Lord  and  had  his  four-years-old  niece,  who  sleeps 
under  the  oldest  inscribed  tombstone  in  Norwalk,  a  little 
Belden  bud,  baptized. 

It  is  not  the  analist's  part  or  policy  to  keep  on  the 
blind  side  of  events,  certainly  not  to  be  blind  to  his 
clients'  blemishes.  It  is  but  sensible  to  suppose  that  this 
town's  virgin  story  was  that  of  a  not  altogether  flawless 
administration. 

But  as  it  would  be  invideous  to  imply  censure  unless 
there  is  known  cause  for  it  so  is  it  dishonest  to  withhold 
praise  where  it  is  manifestly  due.  The  training,  civil  or 
ecclesiastical,  which  furnished  to  Canaan  parish  such  a 
head  as  Theophilus  Fitch,  or  Wilton  with  a  James  Betts, 
or  Westport  with  a  John  Taylor,  or  Ridgefield  with  a 
Matthew  Keeler,  the  rearing,  in  a  home  lot  within  a 
stone  cast  of  this  church  which  developed  Esther  Isaacs, 
whose  daughter  Mary  was  the  grandmother  of  the 
Prince  of  College  Presidents,  Timothy  Dwight,  D.  D., 
now  in  Europe,  and  daughter  Sarah,  a  mother  from 
whom  sprang  the  Kings,  Grades  and  Hopkins,  and  son 
Ralph,  the  grandfather  of  Ralph  Isaacs  Ingersoll, 


United  States  minister  to  the  empire  of  Russia,  such 
rearing  is  entitled  to  remark  if  nothing  more  than  in  the 
interests  of  ethnology.  Why  was  such  a  perceptible 
percentage  of  Norwalk's  second  and  third  generation 
men  of  consideration.  Joseph  Platt  and  his  son  were 
over  fifty  years  in  the  colonial  legislature.  Thomas 
Fitch  was  year  after  year  lieutenant  governor  and  sev- 
eral years  governor.  Matthew  Campfield  had  such  high 
repute  abroad  that  the  King  of  England  nominated  him 
a  charter  member  of  Connecticut's  royal  patent,  and 
Samuel  Fitch  was  constituted  a  commonwealth  gover- 
nor's adviser.  Had  character  nothing  to  do  with  promo- 
tion in  these  cases?  Were  strong  religious  scruples  noth- 
ing of  a  leverage  in  these  instances ;  or,  if  a  modern  il- 
lustration be  asked,  was  it  a  miserable  ideal  which  gave 
to  this  place  in  the  person  of  Eli  B.  Bennett  one  whose 
half  century's  Norwalk  debtor  and  credit  treasury  ac- 
counts balanced  to  a  single  cent. 

Something  ruled  Henry  Whitney  or  he  could  have 
hardly  ruled  the  settles  as  he  did  in  1664,  and  his  descen- 
dant, Stephen  Whitney,  followed  quite  naturally  on. 

Still  to  trace  descendants  down  from  an  old  glory  line, 
the  heroic  Daniel  Ketchum  from  Joseph  Ketchum  and 
his  Taylor  wife ;  or  the  Master  in  Israel,  Dr.  Joel  Ben- 
edict from  Thomas  and  Bridget  Benedict,  or  the  wife 
of  the  distinguished  president,  Charles  King,  from  Ne- 
hemiah  and  Elizabeth  Rogers,  or  the  hardy  and  intrepid 
younger  and  older  Rear  Admiral  Francis  H.  Gregory 
from  a  Norwalk  pillar  in  the  great  John  Davenport's 
New  Haven  church,  all  this  would  be  lawful  were  Sun- 
day the  day  and  this  the  hour  for  the  same.  The  seed 
which  Thomas  Hanford  planted  bore  fruit,  which  fruit  is 
fact  to-day.  , 

The  church  and  secular  histories  of  early  Norwalk 
are  so  closely  coetaneous  that  to  pursue  the  one  is  al- 
most necessarily  to  indicate  the  other. 

Stephen  Buckingham  was  the  successor  of  Thomas 
Hanford  and  the  town  at  the  former's  advent  had  con- 
siderably changed  in  the  poulation  particular  at  least. 
The  first  generation  had  about  disappeared  and  those 
who  were  young  at  Norwalk's  planting  were,  fifty  years 
later,  aged,  while  the  children  of  Mr.  Hanford's  junior 
years  were  the  middle-aged  subjects  of  his  successor's 
ministrations.  The  tide  of  progress  was  setting  gradu- 
ally in.  The  new  second  meeting  house  was  still  further 
improved,  and  the  first  tide  mill  erected.  Samuel  Car- 

82 


ter  had  arrived  and  Benjamin  Lynes  and  Ralph  Isaacs 
and  soon  plans  for  a  third  fine  church  discussed  and 
two  school  districts  provided  for  and  quite  an  oyster 
plant  already  proposed.  Mr.  Buckingham  was  not  a 
narrow  gauge  man.  His  London-purchased  library 
adorned  a  minister's  home  which  was  presided  over  by 
Mary  Willet's  daughter  Sarah,  a  grandchild  of  the  first 
mayor  of  New  York  and  one  of  the  most  refined  ladies 
of  the  colony,  a  home  which  after  ward  formed  the  birth 
spot  of  some  of  the  merchant  princes  of  the  continent. 
It  is  true  that  after  years  of  diligence  and  devotion  a 
little  cloud  arose  in  Mr.  Buckingham's  horizon,  but  who 
can  declare  its  exact  why  and  wherefore.  The  great- 
grandson  of  Thomas  Buckingham,  of  Saybrook,  and  the 
Yale-honored  Harvard  young  man,  was  of  no  mean 
status. 

Following  Mr.  Buckingham  came,  in  1727,  a  New 
Jersey  man  of  thirty-five  in  whose  brother's  dwelling 
Princeton  college  was  born.  Moses  Dickinson,  the  son 
of  a  trader,  and  whose  mother  was  of  the  Stratford  Blake- 
rnan  family,  a  descendant  of  which  has  erected  the  stone 
library  in  Stratford  which  so  adorns  the  main  street  of 
that  place,  was  one  of  the  finest  appearing  men  in  the 
colony.  His  tomb  and  that  of  his  parishioner,  Col.  Ste- 
phen St.  John,  lie  in  proximity  and  the  earth,  in  both  in- 
stances, covers  the  dust  of  the  accredited  two  handsomest 
people  in  pre- Revolutionary  Norwalk.  Mr.  Dickinson's 
manners  as  he  walked  up  the  new  stone  steps  which  had 
been  laid  at  the  east  door  of  his  East  avenue  church, 
(now  site  of  Thomas  residence),  were  striking.  He  was 
of  exceptional  parts  and  a  typical  best  citizen  of  New 
England.  His  advent  to  Norwalk  was  marked  by  the 
parting  with  some  of  his  choicest  wheat  wherewith  to 
sow  New  Canaan  and  Wilton.  A  number  of  his  flock 
identified  themselves  with  the  former  place  which  in  June 
last  dignifiedly  and  delightfully  kept  its  anniversary  and 
which  has  given  to  science  and  humanity  a  Samuel  St. 
John  and  to  the  service  of  the  state  a  Samuel  Raymond, 
and  as  late  as  this  day  and  in  the  flower  of  his  faculties  a 
John  H.  Light.  Of  Wilton  it  is  honor  enough  for  the  moth- 
er town  and  church  now  to  recall  the  names  of  her  Moses 
Stuart  and  Dr.  David  Benjamin  Belden  and  Prof. 
Hawley  Olmstead,. 

St." Paul's  church  was  organized  soon  after  Mr.  Dick- 
inson arrived  which  Dickinson  and  the  son  of  the  builder 
of  the  first  structure  used  by  Yale  after  its  establishment 


in  New  Haven,  the  first  rector  of  St.  Paul,  cared,  spirit- 
ually, for  the  Norwalk  fold.  Mr.  Dickinson  and  Drs. 
Judd  and  Learning,  the  last  two  of  St.  Paul's,  lived 
neighbors  for  many  years.  The  stormy  period  of  the 
Revolution  set  in  and  the  clergy  of  the  two  churches  held 
opposite  views  but  both  were  remarkable  men.  Dr. 
Learning  was  Mr.  Dickinson's  contemporary  until  with- 
in one  year  of  the  burning  of  both  these  men's  churches, 
Mr.  Dickinson  dying,  beloved  and  lamented,  on  May 
day,  1778  and  Mr.  Learning  removing  from  the  town 
to  be  thereafter  buried  in  New  Haven.  Governor  Thom- 
as Fitch  was  of  Mr.  Dickinson's  flock  and  Dr.  Uriah 
Rogers,  and  the  future  Chancellor  Kent  was  a  school 
boy  in  one  of  his  families,  while  next  door  to  his  house 
was  born  the  afterward  godly,  gifted  and  widely  cele- 
brated Bishop  Abraham  Jarvis,  the  successor  of  Sea- 
bury  in  the  American  Episcopate.  The  town  in  Pastor 
Dickinson's  day  fast  grew,  its  directory  embracing  such 
noticeable  names  as  Capt.  John  Thatcher,  Col.  Eliphalet 
Lockwood,  Samuel  Jarvis,  Asa  Hoyt,  Nathaniel  Bouton, 
Dr.  Thaddeus  Betts,  John  Belden,  John  Platt,  Nathan 
Nash,  Dennis  Wright,  Ebenezer  Church  and  Nathan 
Mallory.  Mr.  Dickinson  was  assisted  by  Rev.  William 
Tennent  and  followed  by  Dr.  Matthias  Burnet,  who, 
coming  in  this  place  in  1785,  was  the  first  occupant  of  the 
pulpit,  so  remembered  for  its  neatness,  in  the  reverently 
recalled  structure  that  stood  on  the  Green  almost  facing 
the  site  of  this  edifice.  Our  old  people  were  wont  to 
speak  with  feeling  regard  of  Dr.  Burnet  after  whom  came 
Roswell  R.  Swan,  of  Eastern  Connecticut  and  memory 
dear  to  the  generation  just  past.  The  day  of  his  funeral 
saw  the  town  in  mourning  and  the  cortege  from  the  par- 
sonage to  the  Town  Hill  cemetery  was  a  sorrowing  one. 
During  Dr.  Burnet  and  Mr.  Swan's  incumbences  St. 
Paul  enjoyed  the  charge  of  the  scholarly  John  Bowden, 
the  well  fitted  Dr.  William  Smith,  the  interesting  Ogilvie, 
the  endeared  Henry  Whitlock  and  the  energetic  Dr. 
Reuben  Sherwood.  Both  societies  prospered  under  the 
oversight  of  these  different  men  and  were  an  influence 
in  the  history  town. 

During  the  ministrations  of  Dr.  Burnet  and  the 
temporary  supply  of  Mr.  Foot  at  St.  Paul's,  Methodism 
was  planted,  in  Norwalk.  The  few  whom  Cornelius 
Cook  in  1787  and  Jesse  Lee  in  1789  impressed  grew,  ul- 
timately, to  a  vigorous  body;  and  when  a  score  or  two 
years  later  a  zealous  elder  visited  the  spot  and  hinted  to 


Absalom  Day  with  reference  to  a  subscription  for  an 
abiding  home  for  the  faithful  of  that  persuasion,  Mr.  Day 
at  once  acted  upon  the  suggestion  and  himself  headed  a 
column,  the  footing  up  of  which  exhibited  a  handsome 
sum  total.  Holmes  Saunders,  of  the  present  Elm  crest 
became  deeply  interested  and  with  two  or  three  others 
secured  the  lot  on  lower  West  avenue  which  is  now  beau- 
tified by  one  of  the  most  commodious  and  attractive  tem- 
ples of  worship  in  the  commonwealth. 

The  Methodist  body  is  entitled  to  high  praise.  It 
has  built  five  churches  in  Middle  Norwalk  and  several 
chapels  outside,  and  since  the  days  that  a  few  of  its  mem- 
bers were  accustomed  to  sing  and  pray  in  the  little  almost 
rock  overhung  cottage  slightly  to  the  west  of  what  was 
then  known  as  the  "old  well  road,"  has  accomplished  a 
great  work  for  the  Master.  Absolom  Day  and  Matthew 
Wilcox  will  live  in  Norwalk  Christian  annals  and  the 
name  of  Hill  is  one  wherewith  to  exaltedly  incite  the  mem- 
bers of  that  earnest  and  influential  communion.  While 
the  Methodist  clergy  on  account  of  their  distinctive  sys- 
tem have  not  remained  in  Norwalk  as  long  as  their 
brethren  of  other  names,  still  their  ardent  promulgation 
of  evangelical  truth  and  their  warm  support  of  whatever 
is  of  good  report  entitle  them  to  distinguished  mention. 

After  Mr.  Swan  came  Rev.  Sylvester  Eaton,  who 
was  introduced  to  his  people  by  Eliza  Susan,  daughter 
of  Capt.  Hezekiah  Betts.  Miss  Betts  was  an  instructress 
and  benefactress  whose  merits  deserve  monumental 
memory  perpetuation.  Two  of  her  brothers  became 
ministers  of  Christ  while  another  brother,  Henry,  was  the 
actual  originator  of  the  Rotary  Printing  press.  Mr.  Ea- 
ton remained  some  six  years,  when  the  ministriesful 
Henry  Benedict,  in  1828,  filled  a  brief  pastoral  term. 
Then  succeeded,  in  1832,  Edwin  Hall,  whose  claim  upon 
this  community's  deep  and  lasting  esteem  is  most  valid. 
He  was  a  thinker.  His  talent  was  due  to  reflection.  He 
was  not  an  orator  but,  rather,  a  calm,  impassioned  advo- 
cate of  revealed  truth  whose  expositions  of  the  same 
were  extraordinarily  clear  and  convincing.  He  was  a 
stranger  to  speculation.  Such  strong  men  of  the  strong 
Fairfield  County  Bar  as  Clark  Bissell,  Thaddeus  Betts, 
Thomas  B.  Butler  and  Mason  Carter  were  drawn  to  him 
because,  not  of  gesture,  nor  of  cadence,  but  because  of 
Edwin  Hall's  soundness  and  incomptibility.  Like  Theo- 
philus  Smith,  of  New  Canaan,  with  whose  doctrinal  views 
he  was  in  entire  accord  and  who  was  one  of  his  most  in- 


timate  friends  he  had  a  mind  and  a  heart  for  his  work. 
Norwalk  to  the  end  of  its  history  will  remain  his  insolvent 
debtor.  He  loved  the  town  and  did  a  valuable  work  in 
compiling  and  preserving  its  ancient  records. 


Rev.  C.  M.  Silleck's  Add) ess— Continued. 

It  fell  to  Dr.  Hall  to  set  off  from  the  parent  pre- 
cinct the  Second  Congregational  Church,  the  successful 
planting  of  which  Old  Well  daughter  was  due  to  its 
founders'  worth.     It  was  evidently  a  belief  in  this  that 
influenced,  especially  the  sister  of 'Mrs.  Moses  Gregory 
to  surrender  a  portion  of  the  prized  Hoyt  home  seat 
for  a  site  for  the    new    society's    church.'    Intermixed 
with  this  society's  roll  call  of  sixty-five    organization 
members,  were  various  view  holders,  it  is  possible,  but 
when  James  Knox,  in  neat  syllables,  and  with  fascinat- 
ing mode,  and  after  him  John    B.  Shaw,  Francis    C. 
\Yoodworth,  Z.  K.  Hawley  and  John  Austin  addressed 
a  membership,  among  whom  were  several  of  Norwalk's 
central  characters,  they  spake  to  a  goodly  and  Godly 
unity,  a  fact  which  at  the  church's  start,  so  gratified  the 
mother  pastor  that  he — this  was  told  over  his  coffin  in 
Auburn — was  moved  to  relinquish  what  his  own  people 
had  provided  for  his  comfort,  in  order  that  his  former 
South  Norwalk  children  might  thereby  be  convenienced. 
It  is  renown  enough  for  Old  Well  that  one  of  its  levels 
was  the  fireside  of  five  sisters,  one  of  whom  wedded  a 
medical  celebrity,  another  a  Washington  congressman, 
another  a  local  reputation  inhabitant,  and  another  still 
the  grandfather  of   William    Tecumseh    Sherman,  and 
that  on  one  of  its  primitive  meadow  paths  was  bred  the 
young  man  who  fired,  when  Garth  came,  one  of  the 
shots  poetry  declared  to  have  been  heard  round  the 
world,   and   that   near  one   of  its  little   ontioras    was 
brought  up  another  youth,  who  on  his  sixteenth  birth- 
day, June  20,  1815,  knelt  as  soon  as  he  left  his  bed,  and 
gave  himself  forever  to  God,  the  same  Old  Well  boy 
becoming,  afterward,    the    founder    of    the    American 
Home  Missionry  Society,  the  historian  of  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire',  and  the'  preacher  in  this  pulpit,  in  July, 
1851,  of  the  remarkable  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  the  . 
bi-centennial  of  Norwalk.     Cherished,  in  Norwalk  and 
South  Norwalk,  be  the  memory — their  inheritance — of 
Nathaniel  S.  Bouton,  whose  old  testament  blessing  to 
the  concourse  within  these  walls  of  fifty  years  ago  was 
the  very  benediction  he  breathed  over  his  family  the 
last  Sabbath  night  of  his  earthly  life. 

The   Congregational  and    all    other    churches    of 
promiseful  South  Norwalk  have  examples  of  high  \ 
tue  to  henceforth  incite  them.     Deacon  John  .Bouton 
was  a  faithful  forever  man ;  no  one  doubted  Daniel  K. 


86a 


Nash's  sincerity;  William  H.  Benedict's  spirit  was  his 
charm ;  Stephen  G.  Ferris'  sainthood  was  pure. 

Dr.  Hall's  neighbors  at  St.  Paul's  were  Jackson 
Kempner  and  William  Cooper  Mead,  two  of  the  rarest 
members  on  the  clergy  list  of  the  American  Episcopal 
Church.  The  first  of  these  rectors  was  called  from  Nor- 
walk  to  the  first  bishopric  of  the  great  Northwest,  and 
the  second  was  for  many  sessions  secretary  of  the  House 
of  Bishops,  and  "Father,"  so  denominated,  of  the 
Lower  House  of  the  general  convention  of  that  church, 
in  the  United  States.  He  saw  the  now  enlarged  Trinity 
Church,  South  Norwalk,  leave  the  parental  roof  and 
since  his  day  Grace  parish  has  been  planted.  He  lived 
to  old  age  and  died  in  harness,  one  of  the  enjoyments 
of  his  last  days  having  been  his  acquaintance  with  the 
Rev.  Samuel  B.  S.  Bissell,  his  neighbor  and  warm 
friend,  and  Norwalk's  peerless  son.  It  also  gave  him 
true  pleasure  to  receive,  some  little  time  before  his  de- 
cease, a  cordial,  candid  message  from  his  eighteen  years 
fellow  resident,  Dr.  Edwin  Hall,  of  Western  New  York. 
Drs.  Kempner  and  Mead  were  Bible  and  Prayer  Book 
churchmen,  and  their  teaching  was  that  of  a  simple 
Gospel.  As  to  the  latter's  teaching  mode  and  matter, 
it  has  never,  perhaps,  been  better  summed  up  than  in 
the  language  of  one  of  Wilton's  irreproachable  sons, 
and  a  beloved  physician  of  Norwalk  and  officer  of  this 
church,  Dr.  Ira  Gregory,  who  was  wont  to  repeat  "Dr. 
Mead  was  one  of  the  most  evangelical  preachers  I  ever 
listened  to."  Since  his  day  his  old  care  has  had  several 
rectors.  The  venerable  mother  has  a  history,  and  may 
she,  crowned  with  age  and  covered  with  glory,  go  on 
and  ever  shine  forth  in  the  splendor  which  haloed  her 
story  in  the  years  of  olden  times. 

William  Bouton  Weed,  who  took  up  Edwin  Hall's 
laid-down  work,  was  of  masterly  parts  and  of  wonderful 
mental  resources.  His  signal  ability  securely  held  his 
congregation,  which  it  is  the  plain  truth  to  say,  he  fed 
on  elegant  competencies.  From  his  day  to  this  day, 
this  church  has  continued  to  be  presided  over  by  men 
of  weight,  including  the  names  so  familiar  to  and  re- 
gardfully  esteemed  by  all,  of  Anderson,  Dunham,  Ham- 
ilton, Childs,  Noble  and  Egbert. 

To  treat  of  its  long  line  of  laity  will  fall  to  the  an- 
al ist,  next  year,  of  this,  then  quarter-thousand  years 
old  society.  His  work  will  be  a  recompenseful  one,  and 
we  can. hardly  repress  the  conviction  that  the  occasion 
would  be  a  suitable  one  on  which  to  inaugurate  meas- 

36b 


vures  'looking  to  the  restoration  o"f  'the  believed  to  "be 
..resting  place,  in  our  old  cemetery,  of  Thomas  Hanford, 
.who  has  had  several  Norwalk  born  ministerial  succes- 
.sors,  to  one  of  whom,  in  whose  veins  the  most  honored 
.blood  of  the  plantation  flows,  it  most  appropriately  and 
-happily  falls  to  pronounce,  on  Wednesday  next,  the 
.-oration  of  this  celebration. 

The  summer  of  1837  .had  reached  its  last  day,  when 
.the  Baptist  Society  of  Norwalk  came  into  existence, 
.Among  its  vigorous  first  members  the  names  of  Arnold, 
-of  Norwalk,  and  Moulton,  of  Westport,  will  ever  stand 
prominently  out.  It  was  not,  at  the  start,  a  large,  but 
it  was  an  earnest  body,  and  its  growth  has  been  due  to 
a  candid  presentation  of  its  distinctive  dogma  and  prin- 
ciples. For  the  early  two  or  three  years  of  its  history 
its  services  were  generally  held  in  the  present  town 
house,  and  there  was  a  somewhat  transient  supply  of 
ministerial  service.  In  1840  the  present  church  on  The 
'Green  was  dedicated,  and  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
James  Woolsey  entered  upon.  Mr.  Woolsey  was  an 
honor  to  his  profession.  Finely  equipped  intellectually, 
of  deep  spiritual  nature  and  of  sincerity  itself  eloquence, 
.he  was  esteemed  wherever  known,  and  highly  beloved 
"by  his  own  people.  Sore  affliction  visited  him  during 
•the  earlier  portion  of  his  Norwalk  life,  but  himself  and 
more  than  admirable  partner  bore  their  bereavement 
pressure,  and  emerging  from  the  trial,  here  accom- 
plished a  good  work. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  'trace  the  origin,  in  this  town, 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  as  it  is  one  of  our  latest 
born  ecclesiastical  organizations.     It  was  the  faith  o 
those  hardy  very  few,  who,  within  existing  memories, 
could  have  been  seen  on  Sunday  morning  walking  over 
Jarvis  Hill,  and  there,  quietly  removing  the  shoes  from 
their  feet   trudged    zealously  on  as  far  east  as  the  ol 
Fairfield  and   Bridgeport   division  line,  where,  before 
entering  the  house  of  God,  they  would  replace    their 
shoes,  and  dust  their  travel-soiled  wardrobe,  so  that 
disrespect  should  be  done  the  sacred  p  ace  from  wher 
after  their  morning  sacrifice  and  the  blessing  of  Moth 
Church.they  would  turn  their  faces  toward  their  four- 
teen miles  westward  home;  it  was,  we  say,  the  zeal  o 
such  as  these  which  ended  in  the  establishment   in  Uus 
community,  of  that  communion.     The  first jjas,  was 
established  sixty-eight  years  ago  and  anon  put 
ship  was  offered  in  a  hall  on  Water  street and ^  in  t 
town  house.    After  this  an  edifice  was  reared  in  1851,  « 


in 

.11CC     Wd.3     1  ^.CVi  x-v»     " -J-' 

36c 


Chapel  street,  which  answered  until  the  erection  of  the 
loftier  granite  structure,  on  West  avenue.  St.  Mary's- 
has  been  under  the  care  of  some  fifteen  pastors,  includ- 
ing the  scholarly  Rev.  Dr.  John  Mulligan,  and  also  of 
one  of  fine  instincts  and  refined  ways,,  and  who,  like 
Edwin  Hall,  seemed  to  love  our  wave-kissed  beach, 
along  which  his  quiet  figure  of  saintly  mien  would  be 
seen  in  apparent  meditation  and  contemplation,  and  of 
Rev.  Peter  A.  Smith,  who  built,  in  1869,  his  memorial, 
the  present  temple,  and  whose  indefatigability  at  that 
time  is  well  recalled,  and  of  the  great-souled  FnthtM- 
Slocum,  the  appreciation  of  whose  fidelity  on  the  part 
of  his  own  people,  and  of  his  exceptional  spirit  by  those 
outside  his  flock  was  ever,  until  his  bishop  summoned 
him  to  a  higher  position,  in  the  ascending  scale.  St. 
Mary's  has  enjoyed  the  ministrations  of  a  devoted 
clergy,  and  its  laity  has  been  a  generous  bod)'.  It  has 
provided  for  itself  a  stately  and  beautiful  habitation,  and 
seen  built  a  commodious  tabernacle  for  its  So.  Norwalk 
daughter.  It  has  also  enjoyed  the  honor  of  filling  with 
one  of  its  own  children,  the  Episcopal  throne  of  the 
Diocese  of  Hartford. 

Unitarianism  has  never  had  a  footing  here,  and 
Universalism  only  a  tentative  one.  There  are  those 
among  us,  probably,  whose  views  incline  in  these  di- 
rections, but  their  number  is  comparatively  small.  We 
have  German  and  Swedish  congregations ;  also  a  so- 
called  Latter  Day  Saints  organization.  Our  Hebrew 
population  has  a  burial  plot,  but  Mormonism,  albeit 
Brigham  Young  and  Elder  Snow  and  a  companion  of 
the  two  spent  about  a  week  in  the  place  in  endeavors 
to  establish  their  belief,  has  never  here  thriven. 

It  is  hoped  that  all  our  ecclesiastical  families  have 
gathered  data  in  connection  with  this  month's  obser- 
.vances,  and  it  is  expected  that  the  same  will  be  properly 
cared  for. 

Medicine,  the  bar,  the  school  and  academy,  art, 
manufacture,  commerce,  agriculture,  banking  and  gen- 
eral business,  all  these  have  had  representatives,  a  num- 
ber of  whom  have  been  distinguished,  and  all  merit 
recognition,  at  the  proper  time,  at  this  celebration,  a 
celebration  at  which  it  would  be  unnatural  could  we 
forget  our  only  older  sister,  the  favored  and  beautiful 
town  of  Stamford,  on  our  West.  It  took  some  little 
time  for  the  exact  definement  of  the  geographical  boun- 
dary lines  between  us,  but  since  that  date,  side  by  side, 
we  have  gone  on,  God  in  His  Providence  having  richly 

8Cd 


blessed  this,  by  a  few  years  older  daughter  than  our- 
selves, of  the  commonwealth,  and  having,  we  devout- 
ly pray,  still  greater  benediction,  if  it  be  possible,  in  re- 
serve for  her. 

Our  limit  is  reached,  we  fear  transcended,  but  one 
thought,  just  here,  is  irrepressible.  The  glory  of  our 
celebration  is  heightened  and  an  honor  done  this  ancient 
plantation  by  the  offer,  at  this  historic  juncture,  from 
a  world  benefactor,  of  funds  for  a  library  building,  fol- 
lowed quickly  by  the  gift  of  a  handsome  site  for  the 
same.  Words  of  fulsome  eulogy  would  be  offensive,  but 
the  name  of  Carnegie,  of  collossal  munificence  and 
Bishop  of  local  beneficence,  the  donations  of  whom 
mean  so  much  that  is  better,  purer,  loftier  to  us,  are 
written  on  our  hearts,  and  our  people  are  conjured  by 
all  that  is  truly  valuable  to  make,  as  a  suitable  acknowl- 
edgement on  our  part,  this  noble  offering  a  grand  and 
lasting  success. 

Our  tribute  to-day  has  largely  been  that  to  old- 
fashioned  virtue,  which  has  certainly  here  proven  itself 
competent  to  be  the  safeguard  of  right,  and  depend 
upon  one  thing,  if  it  be  desirable  that  the  hour  shall  re- 
turn when  ancient  conscience  shall  again  bear  rule,  the 
stars  in  their  courses  will  never  alone  bring  it  round; 
it  will  come,  under  God,  not  by  going  back  to  ancient 
agriculture,  or  manufacture,  or  travel,  but  to  the  Godly 
grounding  ideas  of  days  departed. 

This  stone,  brethren  and  friends,  is  a  witness. 
Joshua's  figure  is  fact,  his  rock  had  a  tongue  and  this 
week's  ceremonies  here  in  these  courts,  this  blessed 
Lord's  day  opened,  are  a  voiceful  and  proud  attestation 

Salutation  to  all,  descendents  of  such  sound  stock. 
We  bless  our  God  for  what  our  ancestors  were,  and  for 
what    they  wrought.     Norwalk,  South,  East  West  ml 
North,  all  Norwalk  should  now  pitch  its  te  deum  to  an 
exultant  Key,  and  join  in  a  rapturous  Gloria  in  Excelsis. 
The  observance  has  a  profound  interpretation, 
an  important  object-lesson,  and  an  all  important  spir 
reality.     May  we  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  occasion 
May  it  be  more  to  us  than  a  past  commemoration.    U 
may  it  be  to  us  a  present  product  and  a  present  proh 
and  when  the  years  shall  have  chased  each  other  over 
these  hills  and  valleys  of  our  progenitors,  and  over  c 
graves,  and  brought  in  Anno  Domini  two  thousand  01 
hundred  and  fifty,  may  the  projectors  of  the ^fivc  hi m- 
dredth  anniversarv  of  our  beloved  father  town  s  Dirt 


IWe 


be  inspired  by  the  record  of  what  we,  at  this  anniver- 
sary, have  decreed  and  done. 

The  Lord  bless  us;  the  Lord  be  merciful  and  gra- 
cious unto  us.  The  Lord  our  God  and  our  father's 
God,  lift  upon  us  the  light  of  His  countenance,  and  for- 
ever keep  us  and  all  who  shall  come  after  us,  in  His 
perfect  peace.  Amen,  Amen. 

To  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  be  all  the  glory, 
henceforward  forevermore.  Amen. 

The  audience  then  joined  in  singing  "My  Country, 
'Tis  of  Thee,"  and  was  dismissed  with  the  benediction, 
pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Egbert. 


:jr.f 


First   C 


;ongregational    Church.         *    V^^****^*^^.  *  J^IS   MelhoLt 
f>v.....»i.  "it     Marv's  Church.        S.     St.      au 


4.    Firat 


Church.       7-     St.    Mary's  Chur 


At  THE  FIRST  CHURCH-NORWALK 

S  FAR  as  practicable  the  morning  ser- 
vices of  Sunday,  September  8,  were 
devoted  to  historical  discourses  appro- 
priate to  the  anniversary.  During  the 
services  in  the  First  Congregational 
Church  in  the  morning  the  following 
address  was  delivered  by  the  pastor, 
Rev.  George  Drew  Egbert. 
A  stage  coach  is  picturesque ;  once  upon  a  time,  it 
was  even  swift.  The  tourists  of  a  nation  and  the  corres- 
pondence of  a  nation  were  once  carried  in  this  fashion, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Just  now,  to  get 
anywhere,  and  to  get  there  promptly,  people  have  a  habit 
of  using  limited  express  trains.  The  romance  of  the 
sunny  turnpike  has  gone,  and  the  rough  reality  of  rattle 
and  cinders  has  succeeded.  The  coach  has  been  rele- 
gated to  the  ultra  society  of  the  tally-ho,  and  at  the  other 
extreme,  to  the  picturesque  ultra  society  of  the  wild-west. 
But  it  was  so  picturesque!  Yes — but  the  everyday 
traveler  has  one  purpose,  and  that  is  to  get  there.  Hence 
the  locomotive.  A  bureau  with  carved  legs  and  antique 
handles  of  the  revolutionary  period  will  hold  no  more 
clothes  nor  hold  them  more  securely  because  of  its  legs 
or  handles ;  and  what,  pray,  is  the  bureau  for?  Curios- 
ity is  one  thing  and  capacity  is  another.  That  General 
Washington  drank  from  'a  well  is  no  certificate  that  the 
water  is  not  crammed  with  microbes.  It  is  clear  enough 
that  every  man  in  a  house  divided  against  itself  on  the 
historical  question ;  a  sort  of  Dr.  Jekyll  and  Mr.  Hyde, 
the  one  meaning  a  passion  for  the  old,  and  the  other  an 
equally  violent  passion  for  the  new.  The  latest  fad — 
that's  attractive,  because  it  is  late;  the  oldest  candle- 
stick—that is  attractive,  because  it  is  early.  But  would 
you  exchange  a  spluttering  flicker  called  tallow-dip  for 
a  sixteen  candle-power  electric  light?  When  it  comes  to 
light  for  every-night  use,  you  want  the  latest,  just  as 
when  it  comes  to  heat,  you  prefer  radiators  to  foot- 
stoves.  We  can  grow  sentimental  over  a  faded  rose,  but 
we  take  good  care  that  the  flower  gardens  are  up  to  date, 
and  we  do  not  grow  faded  roses.  Just  remember,  the 
Venus  of  Milo  is  no  more  valuable  for  having  lost  her 
arms.  We  look  back,  then,  not  because  we  believe  that 
the  better  landscapes  are  nearer  the  sunrise ;  for  the  west 


if! 


is  tapestried  as  magnificently  as  the  east ;  not  because  men 
were  better  and  life  was  finer,  for  life  is  surely  not  the  one 
exception  in  the  story  of  progress ;  nor  yet  do  we  look 
back,  because  as  a  church,  we  can  climb  into  the  upper 
and  airy  branches  of  a  genealogical  tree.  We  all  have  an 
ancestry,  and  to  be  able  to  trace  it  simply,  is  no  large 
compliment  to  the  ancestry,  any  more  than  to  be  able  to 
trace  the  way  of  a  brooklet  through  the  underbrush  up 
a  mountain-side  is  to  say  that  the  water  has  a  good  flavor. 
What  the  thirsty  climber  tastes  is  not  to  be  expressed  in 
furlongs  and  miles.  So,  I  say,  we  have  stopped  and 
turned  around  for  a  little  at  this  season,  be- 
cause it  is  healthy  for  us  to  recall  that  men 
with  smaller  favors  than  ours  have  lived  nobly  and 
effectively — because  their  faithfulness  with  a  little  has 
made  our  abundance  possible,  and  because  we  should 
be  ashamed  to  do  less  and  passionately  eager  to  do  far 
more  than  they.  Our  yesterdays  are  to  hint  our  to-mor- 
rows :  our  pride  that  our  church  is  old  is  to  transform 
itself  into  a  determination  that  we  shall  make  it  young. 
Thank  God  for  the  frost  on  the  forehead,  but  take  good 
care  to  keep  it  out  of  the  heart. 

Though  our  age  is  unquestioned,  we  have  to  depend 
for  the  details,  or  at  least  for  such  details  as  are  available, 
on  records  that  are  sadly  incomplete.  Down  as  far  as 
the  period  of  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Swan,  who  was  in- 
stalled in  1807,  three  large  folio  volumes  of  church  rec- 
ords were  carefully  preserved,  during  the  latter  part  of 
their  existence,  in  the  library  of  Dr.  Matthias  Burnett, 
Mr.  Swan's  predecessor.  These  volumes  are  edited  res- 
pectively by  Mr.  Hanford,  Mr.  Buckingham  and  Mr. 
Dickinson,  the  first  of  whom  was  the  first  pastor  of  the 
church  ;  and  we  may  be  sure  that  the  story  they  told 
would  be  fascinating  to  all  of  us  who  are  interested  in  the 
history  of  this  venerable  organization.  It  appears,  how- 
ever, that  after  Dr.  Burnett's  death,  these  valuable  books 
were  left  in  a  basket  in  the  garret  of  the  then 
parsonage,  and  irreverent  rats,  with  a  taste  for 
antiquity — at  any  rate  a  taste  for  paper,  gnawed 
their  way  through  the  precious  pages,  and  nested 
among  the  deacons  and  feasted  upon  the  statis- 
tics. I  am  glad  to  say,  however,  that  there  is 
still  in  existence  and  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  George 
B.  St.  John,  the  original  records  of  the  society,  begun  in 
1726,  when  the  church  was  organized  as  a  separate  insti- 
tution. Curious  to  relate,  this  old  volume  is  still  the 


record  book  of  this  society.  This  book  and  the  various 
historical  memoranda  that  tell  the  story  of  the  town, 
while  not  ample  as  sources  of  information  still  serve  to 
furnish  us  considerable  data  regarding  the  earlier  history 
of  this  dear  old  church.  I  may  add  that  conversation 
with  the  older  members  of  the  present  congregation  have 
furnished  me  with  items  of  interest  that  will  be  available 
but  little  longer,  but  which  add  much  to  our  stock  of 
information  concerning  the  every-day  experiences  of  our 
predecessors  in  the  work  of  this  ecclesiastical  society. 
May  I  also  add  that  should  any  statement  of  this  little 
sketch  need  alteration  or  modification  I  trust  that  the  few 
familiar  with  the  finer  particulars  of  our  history,  particu- 
larly of  our  more  recent  history,  will  not  hesitate  to  sug- 
gest the  proper  corrections. 

There  have  been  five  church  buildings  in  the  history. 
Three  of  these  stood  on  East  avenue,  the  first  of  all  near 
the  present  East  Norwalk  station  of  the  New  Haven 
read,  opposite  or  nearly  opposite  the  bowlder  erected  by 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  at  the  junc- 
ture of  the  road  to  Southport  with  East  avenue.  It  is  to 
be  remembered  that  the  church  was  a  town  institution 
for  many  years,  supported  by  town  funds,  and  governed 
through  town-meetings.  It  is  curious  to  notice  in  the 
town  records  how  provisions  for  maintaining  a  pound, 
mending  drains,  pasturing  cows,  killing  wolves,  and 
keeping  town  taverns  are  mingled  with  arrangements  for 
conducting  religious  services — and  the  close  connection 
between  church  and  state-  could  hardly  be  more  vividly 
suggested  than  by  the  note  that  the  same  man  was  ap- 
pointed to  beat  the  town  drum  and  sweep  the  meeting 
house,  at  the  liberal  salary  of  six  dollars  a  year  or  there- 
about. The  school  clung  close  to  the  church,  and  when 
as  a  result  of  some  twinges  of  conscience,  perhaps,  or 
some  special  spasm  of  virtue,  it  was  determined  by  the 
town  fathers  that  there  should  be  no  more  town-meet- 
ings held  as  theretofore  in  the  meeting-house,  the  school- 
house  was  chosen  for  such  meetings,  at  any  rate  until  the 
erection  of  a  town-house.  The  first  building  was  erected 
in  1659,  was  thirty  feet  long  and  was  built  on  twelve  foot 
posts.  The  other  dimensions  are  given  in  the  records, 
but  the  writing  has  become  indistinct.  An  addition  was 
made  to  this  in  1664,  nearly  doubling  the  capacity  of  the 
church,  but  the  building  se'ems  to  have  continued  in  use 
for  only  about  fifteen  years,  for  in  1679  another  was 
planned.  Then  the  first  church  trouble  arose,  at  any 


rate  the  first  trouble  of  which  there  is  record.  Some 
wanted  the  new  church  here — some  there.  No  doubt 
these  thrifty  and  shrewd  old  settlers  realized  the  com- 
mercial value  of  property  close  to  a  church;  perhaps 
some  did  not  relish  a  longer  walk  in  the  heavy  drifts  of 
winter  to  the  morning  service  on  the  Sabbath.  At  any 
rate,  the  discussion  waxed  hot  until  it  was  finally" decided 
to  leave  the  whole  matter  to  three  commissioners,  of 
which  the  minister  was  one,  who  were  given  full  power. 
It  is  plain  that  arbitration  is  not  a  modern  invention, 
and  if  churches  would  refer  their  differences  to 'a  few 
reliable  men  and  give  them  full  'power,  we  would  be 
saved  the  story  of  many  a  disruption  and  many  a  scene 
disgraceful  in  itself;  doubly  disgraceful  because  of  the 
Christian  professions  of  its  participants.  Our  history  to- 
day has  given  us  this  hint,  and  if  it  gives  us  nothing 
more  than  this,  we  shall  be  amply  repaid  for  the  backward 
looking.  We  moderns  cannot  improve  on  this  method 
of  calming  church  feuds.  The  record  reads:  "These  men 
are  to  hear  all  reasons  and  arguments  on  both  sides  and 
the  town  engages  to  sit  down  satisfied  with  the  deter- 
mination." The  chttrch  finally  sat  down  on  the  ast  side 
of  East  avenue  a  little  further  up,  about  on  the  site  of  the 
present  residence  of  Dr.  Beard,  and  the  old  school-house 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  old  building  evidently  once  a 
school-house,  just  below  Dr.  Beard's.  The  meeting- 
house was  forty-five  feet  square,  and  16  feet  between  the 
joints,  whatever  that  may  mean.  The  story  adds  naively 
"the  roof  is  to  be  after  the  manner  of  the  Fairfield  meet- 
ing-house." It  would  never  do,  of  course,  for  Norwalk 
to  be  outdone  by  Fairfield,  even  in  a  roof.  In  1697,  an 
improvement  was  added  in  the  shape  of  a  gallery,  and 
shortly  afterward  a  bell  was  placed  on  the  building,  hav- 
ing been  purchased  from  one  Ralph  Keeler  on  trial.  I 
noticed  that  some  time  thereafter,  this  same  Ralph  Kee- 
ler had  the  contract  not  only  for  furnishing  the  bell,  but 
also  for  providing  a  place  in  which  to  hang  it.  One  may 
get  a  hint  that  these  thrifty  people  found  town  jobs — 
otherwise  called  public  works,  as  remunerative  as  the 
shrewd  men  of  to-day  find  political  pickings.  This 
building  continued  in  use  until  1/17,  when  the  matter  of 
a  new  building  was  agitated.  The  stated  quarrel  arose, 
but  at  this  time  it  was  centered  about  the  question 
whether  there  should  be  a  new  church  at  all  or  whether 
the  old  one  should  be  repaired.  The  vote  was  close,  be- 
ing taken  somewhat  after  the  parliamentary  fashion,  a 

40 


division  being  called  for  and  the  ayes  signifying  their 
preference  by  adjourning  to  the  church  yard.  The  ori- 
ginal plan  was  finally  followed,  however,  and  the  whole 
matter  referred  to  a  committee  with  power  to  act.  It  is 
worth  noticing  that  when  so  exciting  a  question  arose, 
the  committee  was  composed  of  only  three  people — a 
suggestion  worth  heeding.  In  the  multitude  of  counsel- 
lors there  is  wisdom,  but  the  homely  proverb  which 
states  the  other  side  of  the  question  is  also  worth  notic- 
ing— "Too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth."  Committees, 
with  power,  appointed  to  end  a  dispute  on  the  arbitration 
principle  had  better  be  limited  in  numbers,  and  very  lim- 
ited. The  decision  was  ultimately  in  favor  of  a  new 
building  and  the  site  was  chosen  on  East  avenue,  still 
further  up,  or  nearly  opposite  the  present  residence,  as  far 
as  I  can  make  out,  of  Mr  E.  M.  Lockwood. 

We  now  reach  the  period  from  which  dates  the 
organization  of  this  ecclesiastical  Society  as  a  separate 
organization.  This  was  precipitated  by  a  bitter  dissen- 
sion that  arose  in  connection  with  the  then  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Stephen  Buckingham.  He  was  accused  of  very 
serious  misdoings,  but  he  had  his  supporters,  though  I 
should  judge  from  the  tone  of  the  records,  these  rapidly 
fell  away  from  him,  until  he  found  it  wise  to  resign. 
Three  days  after  his  resignation,  the  Prime  Ancient  So- 
ciety in  Norwalk  was  organized;  the  first  minister  of 
the  new  parish  being  Dr.  Burnett.  The  church  continued 
to  use  the  old  meeting-house  which,  by  the  way,  con- 
tained the  old  pulpit  presented  to  the  new  organization 
by  vote  of  the  town.  In  the  heat  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  Dr.  Burnett  died,  and  when  General  Tryon  burned 
Norwalk  the  meeting-house  was  destroyed.  It  was  not 
until  1790  that  the  fourth  building  was  completed,  and 
though  its  erection  was  over  a  century  ago,  we  are 
brought  very  close  to  it  by  the  fact  that  several  of  the 
older  members  of  this  church  worshipped  in  this  old 
building  for  several  years  previous  to  the  erection  of  the 
present  church  building.  This  meeting  house  stood  on 
the.  Green,  a  little  north  of  this  church,  or  about  opposite 
Lewis  street.  It  was  white  and  had  green  blinds  and 
was  graced  with  a  spire.  On  this  was  the  old  weather- 
vane  recently  removed  from  our  spire,  and  in  the  belfry 
the  bell  bought  in  New  Haven  by  the  father  of  our 
fellow-member,  Mr.  F.  St.  John  Lockwood.  This  bell 
was  a  few  years  since  melted  down  into  souvenirs,  and 
replaced  by  our  present  bell,  the  gift  of  Miss  Julia  Lock- 


41 


wood  in  memory  of  her  parents.     The  building  faced 
west,  that  is,  in  the  opposite  direction  from  the  present 
church,  and  after  a  time  a  platform  was  extended  across 
its  front  and  a  conference  room  was  built  over  the  vesti- 
bule entered  from  the  gallery  stairway  by  stepping  down 
a  step  or  so.     Here  the  prayer-meetings  were  held,  and 
here,  too,  Mr.  Lewis  was  accustomed  to  tune  his  bass 
viol  in  preparation  for  the  service  in  which  he  was  gen- 
erally the  only  instrumentalist.     Once  in  a  while,  how- 
ever, the  well-known  Judge  Butler,  the  eminent  jurist, 
would  assist  in  the  music  with  his  violin,  of  which  he 
was  considered  a  skilful  player,  and  the  large  choir  of 
forty  voices  combined  with  these  players  to  make  for  the 
first  church  the  reputation  for  good  music,  which  the 
latter  choirs  have  done  so  much  to  maintain.    The  build- 
ing was  heated  by  huge  wood-stoves,  the  pipes  from  one 
of  which  ran  the  whole  length  of  the  church  and  made 
the  ''droppings  of  the  sanctuary"  something  more  than 
a  metaphor  to  the  luckless  people  who  happened  to  be 
beneath  them  at  unfortunate  moments.     North  of  the 
old  church  and  between  it  and  the  school-house  which 
stood  near  the  upper  end  of  the  Green,  was  low  marshy 
ground,  transformed  into  a  pond  when  the  weather  was 
wet,  which  furnished  the  main  attraction  to  the  young 
people,  when  frozen  over.     Imagine  the   romances  of 
which  that  Green  ihas  been  the  center.     Romances  of 
which  we  can  notice  even  now  the  results.    The  school- 
house  itself,  in  which  taught  for  many  years,  and  with 
signal  success,  Miss  Susan  Betts,  whose  heart  was  m 
proportion  to  her  body,  is  still  standing,  though  trans- 
formed into  a  dwelling-house — the  last  house   on   the 
north  side  of  Lewis  street.    I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  have 
been  unable  to  find  any  trace  of  any  photograph  of  the 
old  church.     The  present  church  was  built  in  the  late 
forties  on  ground  previously  occupied  by  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Levi  Clark.     The  old  well  remained  in  the  cellar 
of  this  building  for  many  years,  but  was  finally  filled  up, 
when  the  new  chapel  was  built.    This  building  has  seen 
but  few  important  changes.     It  was  thoroughly  redecor- 
ated during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Hamilton,  the  organ 
had  already  been  introduced  in  the  gallery  over  the  vesti- 
bule during  Dr.  Quids'  pastorate,  and  was  removed  to 
its  present  position  when  the  chapel  was  built,  while  Mr. 
Edward  Anderson  was  pastor.     Our  present    organist, 
Mr.  Gibson,  was  its  first  regular  organist  remaining  at 
that  time  for  seventeen  years.     The  old  chapel  which 

42 


was  detached  from  the  church  was  presented  to  the  Afri- 
can Methodist  church  on  Knight  street,  and  the  present 
commodious  and  beautiful  chapel  took  its  place.  A  fire 
breaking  out  in  the  roof  on  a  winter's  night  and  threat- 
ening imminently  the  destruction  of  the  building  was 
too  recent  an  occurrence  to  need  further  mention.  The 
record  would  not  be  complete,  however,  if  I  did  not  men- 
tion the  debt-raising  and  large  church  improvements 
during  the  pastorate  of  my  predecessor,  our  pastor 
emeritus. 

We  are  now  ready  to  notice  that  while  there  have 
been  five  church  buildings,  there  have  ministered  in  this 
parish  fifteen  clergymen  as  installed  pastors,  not  includ- 
ing the  present  speaker.    This  gives  16  years  as  the  aver- 
age length  of  the  pastorate,  a  splendid  record.  The  long- 
est pastorate  was  that  of  Mr.  Dickinson,  who  died  in 
1771  in  his  83rd  year,  having  been  pastor  for  fifty-one 
years.     The  shortest  pastorate  was  that  of  Mr.  Henry 
Benedict,  who  was  dismissed  in  1832  after  serving  the 
church  for  four  years.    To  the  names  of  the  regular  pas- 
tors as  found  in  the  manual  should  be  added  as  supplies 
Mr.  Dunham,  a  young  man  who  did  splendid  work  dur- 
ing a  year's  service ;  Dr.  Plummer,  previously  of  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  who,  while  remarkably  effective,  was  un- 
fortunate in  having  been  associated  in  the  minds  of  the 
people  with  secession  and  therefore  found  his  later  min- 
istry not  acceptable  to  a  large  portion ;  and  Mr.  Everest, 
a  man  of  remarkable  pulpit  power,  under  whom  many  of 
the  present  members  of  the  church  connected  themselves 
with  it.     It  would  be  difficult  in  this  long  list  of  pastors 
to  single  out  any  as  peculiarly  worthy  of  mention.    Dr. 
Hall  was  perhaps  the  ablest  theologian,  and  he  had  a 
large  reputation,  filling  the  high  position  of  Professor  in 
Auburn  Seminary.     If  to-day  people  think  of  him  as 
severe  and  uninteresting,  let  them  recall  the  fact  that  he 
was  ever  leveling  his  knightly  lance  at  error  and  unhors- 
ing it,  at  any  rate,  to  his  own  satisfaction.     Mr.  Weed 
was,  1  should  judge,  on  the  whole,  the  ablest  preacher. 
His  reputation  for  brilliant  sermons  spread  far,  and  at 
this  distance  of  years,   I  have  marked  the  enthusiasm 
with  which  competent  judges  have  mentioned  him  as  a 
public  speaker.     Stories  of  his  eccentricities  linger,  but 
these  did  not  interfere  with  his  success  in  the  pulpit,  no 
diminish  the  affection  of  his  people ;    his  peculiar  habit 
of  twisting  his  handkerchief  while  preaching  is  recalled, 
but  he  held  his  audience  spell-bound  by  wonderful  ser- 


mons  preached  absolutely  without  notes  and  toward  the 
end  of  his  ministry,  at  the  speed  of  three  each  Sabbath. 
We  cannot  but  regret  that  so  able  a  man  should  have 
burned  to  the  socket  so  early.  While  Dr.  Hall  was  so 
eminent  a  scholar,  it  should  be  added  that  he  must  have 
been  eminent  as  an  administrator,  for  a  man  who  can 
bring  up  six  children  on  a  salary  for  years  of  not  over 
eight  hundred  dollars  give  them  all  a  decent  education, 
and  a  son  a  college  education,  must  have  been  a  genius 
in  other  ways  than  philosophizing.  One  meets  the  hints 
of  this  side  of  the  pastor's  life  in  the  quaint  account  of 
the  committee  records  such  as  this:  "Voted  that  Mr. 
Handford  should  have  three  score  pounds  allowed,  for 
the  year  ensuing,  for  his  rate  and  he  is  to  be  paid  as  fol- 
loweth:  30  pounds  in  wheat  and  pease  and  barley;  of 
the  other  pounds,  22  pounds  is  to  be  paid  in  beef  and 
pork  at  the  common  current  price  that  it  brings  when 
it  is  "dew."  And  this  "The  Society  declare  that  they 
will  appoint  a  committee  to  get  people  voluntarily  to  cart 
and  give  wood  for  Mr.  Tennent  and  trust  by  that  means 
he  will  have  a  proper  supply  of  that  article."  And  there 
is  a  grim  suggestion  about  the  report  of  a  town  meet 
that  voted  "the  inhabitants  of  any  town  shall  not  be  un- 
der any  obligation  by  for.ce  of  any  vote  to  pay  any  provi- 
sion for  the  answering  of  their  several  proportions  of  Mr. 
Buckingham's  salary."  There  is  nothing  new  under  the 
sun ;  when  those  early  settlers  desired  to  rid  themselves 
of  an  obnoxious  pastor,  they  simply  stopped  his  pay. 
So  there  are  some  things  ancient  that  will  hardly  warrant 
imitation.  This  is  all  of  a  piece  with  the  action  noted  in 
the  town  records:  "Mr.  Cornish  shall  be  hired  to  teach 
all  the  children  in  the  town  to  learn  to  read  and  write, 
and  the  townsmen  are  to  hire  him  upon  as  reasonable 
terms  as  they  can."  Buy  your  teacher  cheap  Queues 
and  knickerbockers  and  buckles  and  cocked  hats  may 
amuse  us  as  ancient,  but  we  are  very  like  the  first  settlers 
on  the  money  question.  Get  your  teacher  cheap. 

The  singing  of  the  church  service  has  always  had  the 
attention  of  the  church  people.  Frequent  mention  is 
made  in  the  old  records  of  appropriations  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  singing,  and  within  the  memory  of 
some  of  you,  Dr.  Thomas  Hastings,  the  eminent  musi- 
cian and  religious  composer,  father  of  the  present  Pro- 
fessor in  Union  Seminary,  conducted  a  singing  school 
in  a  small  hall  down  town  which  was  attended  by  seventy 
or  more  aspirants  for  choir  honors.  Later,  the  well- 


44 


known  William  B.  Bradbury  gave  instruction.    The  fol- 
lowing is  the  list  of  the  choir   which   sang   in   the  old 
church  and  also  gave  their  service  when    the    present 
church  was  erected:  William  S.  Lockwood,  William  D. 
Smith,  Edward  Smith,  Edward  C.  Bissell,  Thomas  B.' 
Butler,  Joseph  St.  John,  Moses  O.  Banks,  William  L. 
Quintard,  Mrs.  Hart,  Alexander  Smith,  George  Bissell, 
Samuel  Seymour,  Reuben  St.  John,  George  H.  Randle, 
Horace  G.  Hyatt,  Legrand  Whitney,  William  Scribner, 
Storrs  Hall,  Charles  Platt,  William  K.  Lewis,  Lorenzo 
Hubbell,  Juliette  Betts,  Eulalia  Belts,  Julia  Lockwood, 
Elizabeth  Lockwood,  Mrs.  William  B.  St.  John,  Frances 
Lyon,  Mariett  Lyon,  Harriet  Scott,  Jane  Collins,  Mary 
Hyatt,  Susan  Scott,  Elizabeth  Scribner,  Isabella  Wilson, 
Jane  Meeker,  Mary  Stuart,  Sarah  Hanford,  The  Misses 
Durant.     A  member  of  this  choir  mentioned  the  other 
day  that  their  choir  did  not  escape  the  troubles  to  which 
choirs  are  peculiarly  subject;    for  as  a  result  of  the  riv- 
alry of  two  aspirants  for  leadership,  the  entire  choir  re- 
fused to  sing  for  some  time,  and  the  tunes  were  started 
by  some  of  the  deacons  from  among  the  congregation 
with  the  aid  of  the  tuning  fork ;  imagine  such  a  calamity 
to-day.    St.  James  could  hardly  have  imagined  the  con- 
ditions surrounding  the  modern  church    choir,  or    he 
would  not  have  asked:  "Doth  a  fountain  send  forth  at 
the  same  place  sweet  water  and  bitter?"  for  chorus  choirs 
always  do  just  that ;  sing  chords,  act  discords.    We  may 
imagine,  too,  as  a  result,  of  glances  at  the  records  that 
there  were  circumstances  elsewhere  that  demanded  tact. 
Much  attention  is  paid  to  the  proper  seating  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  certain  pews  were  jealously  guarded.    In 
1708,  it  is  mentioned  that  the  town  voted  Mr.  Samuel 
Hays  into  the  great  pew  to  sit  in  upon  public  days,  and 
the  town  voted  Mrs.  Hanford,  the  widow  of  the  first 
pastor,  into  the  pew  with  Mrs.   Buckingham,  the  wife 
of  the  then  pastor,  all  of  which  is  suggestive  of  preroga- 
tives carefully  insisted  upon.    Just  imagine  what  would 
have  happened  had  she  gone  without  the  warrant.    One 
could  hardly  turn  around  except  by  vote.    Perhaps  pos- 
sible friction  was  thus  provided  for,  as  in  that  other  pro- 
vision: ''The  society  by  vote  provide  that  the  justices 
shall  remove  and  sit  with  their  wives."     One  wonders, 
in  view  of  this  gracious  permission,  whether  the  tithe- 
men  (with  which  officers,  by  the  way,  we  are  still  pro- 
vided) weren't  needed  to  keep  even  the  justices  in  order. 
These,  then,  are  some  of  the  conditions  under  which  this 


church  grew.  Time  docs  not  permit  of  my  reviewing 
each  pastorate  as  I  would  like  to  review  it,  for  each  had 
its  peculiar  points  of  strength ;  nor  yet  of  mentioning 
many  details  of  church  life  that  might  prove  interesting. 
These  would  necessarily  include  references  to  churches 
which  have  sprung  from  this  church — or  been  largely 
recruited  from  it — Darien,  Wilton,  New  Canaan,  South 
Norwalk  and  Westport.  Perhaps  when  our  own  cele- 
bration takes  place  a  more  elaborate  review  will  seem 
advisable,  and  perhaps  enough  has  been  said  to  at  least 
suggest  the  special  points  that  interest  us  all. 

Our  heritage  is  magnificent.  We  are  to  hand  it  down 
ennobled  and  beautified — not  entirely,  indeed — not  so 
much  by  what  we  do  as  by  the  spirit  of  our  endeavor. 
Our  church  history  focuses  at  faithfulness.  There  is 
something  better  than  reading  history;  it  is  making 
history.  May  we  lay  no  chipped  stones ;  may  Christ 
be  the  head  of  the  corner. 


AT  THE  GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

Rev.  J.  McClure  Bellows  spoke  as  follows: 

( GOD,  we  have  heard  with  our  ears,  and 
our  fathers  have  declared  unto  us,  the 
noble  works  that  Thou  didst  in  their 
days,  and  in  the  old  time  before 
them.'' — From  the  Litany. 

As  one  stands  in  the  midst  of  this 
splendid   latter    day    civilization,  and 
looks  back  through  the  years  that  are 
gone,  it  is  hard  to  realize  the  conditions  and  the  atmos- 
phere of  those  days  in  which  our  fathers  lived  and  moved. 
They  were  days  of  peculiar  hardships  and  perils,  with 
naught  else  to  sustain  the  founders  of  this,  our  common- 
wealth, than  the  vision  of    a    distant    day,  when    their 
descendants  should  build  upon  that  which  they,  them- 
selves, had  laid  a  superstructure,  whose    strength    and 
light  should  command  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the 
world.    How  clear  that  vision  was  time  has  proved.  The 
American  nation  stands  to-day  a  mighty  specimen  of 
evolution  from  beginnings  that  are  a  pride  and  honor 
to  the  history  that  records  them.    Three  forces  especially 
distinguished  the  character  of  our  forefathers:  Frugality, 
simplicity,  religion.     To  this  latter  force  much  of  their 
heroic  achievement  is  due.    To  them  the  Fatherhood  of 
God  was  not  a  mere  belief;    it  was  the  conviction  that 
ruled  their  lives,  that  sustained  them  through  hardship 
and  peril,  the  conviction  that  filled  them  with  confidence 
and  hope  in  the  future  fruition  of  all  they  planned  and 
did.    In  the  power  of  that  conviction  they  left  home  and 
kindred  across  the  sea,  to  be  led  by  the  hand  of  God,  as 
did  Abraham,  into  a  new  and  strange  country.    There, 
amid  toil  and  privation,  they  struggled  for  a  larger  free- 
dom, an  ideal  commonwealth.    How,  to-day,  do  we,  their 
descendants,  justify  their  heroic   sacrifice,  their   patient 
and  noble  laying  of  the  foundations  upon  which  our  gov- 
ernment, our  society,  our  church,  rest?    Alas,  we  have 
lost  much  of  this  spirit.     Our  government  lacks  sadly 
the  stability  and  firmness  of  their  noble  character.     Its 
indeterminate  and  unsettled  condition  breeds  restlessness 
and  crimes.     Labor,  capital  and  anarchy  tear  ruthlessly 
our  civic  fabric.    Society  is  rank  with  the  destroying  in- 
fluences of  gluttony,  extravagance  and  immorality.    The 
church  languishes  for  lack  of  proper  zeal.    Philanthropy 

47 


is  but  half-hearted,  and  falls  short  of  the  Christian  ideal. 
Men  give,  but  give  cautiously,  and  disproportionately  of 
their  wealth.  The  interview  between  the  rich  young 
man  and  the  Master  still  remains  a  unique  instance  re- 
corded in  Holy  Writ.  The  cry,  to-day,  is  "Back  to  the 
simplicity  of  the  single-mindedness  and  Godly  fear  of 
our  forefathers !"  Back  to  the  example  of  the  life  of  the 
Son  of  God,  the  inspiration  of  which  they  so  nobly 
caught  and  reflected  in  their  patient  and  ever-glorious 
lives !  It  is  then  that  the  nation,  society  and  the  church 
will  have  reached  and  grasped  the  true  American  ideal. 


AT    THE    SOUTH     NORWALK 
CONGREGATIONAL    CH  U  R  C  H 

EACON  Nelson  Dickerman  gave  a  his- 
tory of  the  South  Norwalk  Congrega- 
tional Church,  at  the  morning  ser- 
vices, Sunday.  He  said: 

Standing  on  the  steps  at  the  main 
entrance  to    our    present    church,  we 
face  the  site  of  The  Old  Well  School 
House,  where  now  stands  our  soldiers' 
monument. 

The  second  floor  of  this  building  was  used  as  a 
prayer  meeting  and  conference  room  by  the  members  of 
the  Norwalk  Congregational  Church,  then  residing  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  town.  In  this  "conference  room" 
was  held,  August  nth,  1834,  the  first  public  meeting  to 
consider  the  propriety  of  building  a  Congregational 
Church  in  the  village  of  Old  Well.  On  September  i5th, 
1834,  the  subject  was  brought  before  the  Norwalk 
Church  in  a  communication,  which  said:  "We  have  been 
for  some  time  impressed  with  the  importance  of  estab- 
lishing a  place  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God  in  the 
village  of  Old  Well" ;  also,  "Our  own  individual  ac- 
commodation seems  almost  forgotten  in  the  prospect  of 
being  instrumental  in  benefitting  and  saving  souls  from 
everlasting  woe." 

Among  other  reasons  given:  "More  than  half  of  our 
population  are  neglectors  of  the  appointed  means  of  sal- 
vation"; and,  "We  feel  we  are  called  upon  to.  make 
greater  exertions  to  bring  souls  for  whom  Christ  died 
under  the  influence  of  these  means  which  God  has  ap- 
pointed for  their  salvation." 

At  this  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to  con- 
sider the  matter,  and  reported  to  the  church  at  a  meet- 
ing held  September  29th,  "That  in  the  opinion  of  this 
committee  it  is  expedient  that  the  people  at  the  Old  Well 
go  forward  and  erect  a  house  for  the  worship  of  the  Most 
High*  among  them  and  that  it  be  done  without  any  un- 
necessary delay."  This  opinion  was  adopted  by  a  vote 
of  the  church. 

After  the  communion  service  on  January  3,  1836, 
sixty-four  members  were  dismissed  to  constitute  the  Sec- 
ond Congregational  Church,  of  Norwalk.  The  first  meet- 
ing of  the  newly-constituted  church  was  held  January 


4,  1836,  and  the  following  persons  were  chosen  deacons: 
John  Bouten,  who  served  twenty  years,  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  fall  from  the  scaffold  during  the  enlarging  of 
the  church  in  1856 ;  Daniel  K.  Nash,  who  served  twenty- 
eight  years,  met  death  by  a  fall  from  a  tree;  also  Ste- 
phen G.  Ferris,  who  after  fifty-seven  years  of  service, 
beloved  by  all  the  membership  of  the  church,  "fell 
.  asleep."  James  Warner  was  chosen  clerk,  and  thus  or- 
ganized their  work  was  begun.  Public  worship  was 
commenced  February  14,  1836,  in  the  conference  room, 
and  a  Sunday  school  organized  February  21,  with  Dea- 
con Stephen  G.  Ferris  as  superintendent.  Their  church 
building,  begun  in  the  spring  of  1835,  was  completed  and 
opened  for  worship  the  last  Sabbath  in  March,  1836.  Its 
cost  for  the  lot  was  $300,  and  for  the  building,  $2,200, 
a  total  of  $2,500.  The  two  largest,  recorded  subscrip- 
tions were  for  $100.  Several  who  were  unable  to  give 
money,  gave  materials,  or  day's  labor,  glad  to  aid  the 
good  work  as  they  could. 

On  April  16.  1836,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  James  Knox  to  become  its  pastor.  This  he  accepted 
only  as  a  "stated  supply."  They  were  received  into  the 
Fairfield  West  Consociation,  February  I9th,  1839. 
During  the  first  year  but  five  were  added  to 
the  church,  but  in  the  succeeding  year,  1837, 
fifty-one  were  received  in  confession,  and  eleven 
by  letter,  a  totaj  of  sixty-two.  After  deducting 
the  loss  by  deaths,  two,  and  by  dismission  to 
other  churches,  six,  the  membership  was  one  hundred 
and  twenty-three. 

The  membership  was  almost  stationary  during  the 
next  five  years,  the  loss  by  death  and  dismission  about 
equaling  the  increase,  and  one  year,  1839,  the  only  year 
in  the  church's  history,  there  were  no  additions. 

In  1843  the  church  again  took  a  forward  move- 
ment with  the  addition  of  thirty-one  by  confession 
and  three  by  letter,  and  after  deducting  its  losses  had  a 
membership"  of  140.  The  first  fifteen  years  of  the  church's 
existence  covered  five  pastorates,  but  the  Rev.  Francis 
C.  Woodworth  was  the  only  one  installed  as  pastor.  The 
next  two  pastorates  were  much  longer  and  showed  a 
larger  growth  in  membership  and  activities. 

In  the  early  part  of  Rev.  D.  R.  Austin's  connection 
with  the  church  the  name  was  changed  to  "The  Congre- 
gational Church,  of  South  Norwalk,"  and  a  debt  of  $800 
was  paid. 


In  1856  the  church  was  enlarged,  so  as  to  nearly 
double  its  seating  capacity,  a  bell  and  organ  were  secured 
and  a  general  advance  was  made  in  the  equipment  for  ag- 
gressive service.  Under  Mr.  Austin's  guidance  the  young 
people  of  the  church  were  organized  into  working 
bands,  and  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  the  hill  oo 
the  West  Xorwalk  road.  The  scholars  met  out  of  doors 
in  pleasant  weather,  and  in  Mr.  Bates'  house  at  other 
times,  and  later  in  Samuel  Seymour's  barn.  Another 
Sunday  school  was  organized  in  East  Norwalk  near  the 
tide-mill.  A  third  was  organized  in  the  Ely  Neck  road, 
for  which  a  rude  structure  was  erected.  In  connection 
with  the  Sunday  school  work,  prayer-meetings  were  held 
and  a  general  interest  in  religious  work  stimulated.  Dur- 
ing this  ministry  of  fifteen  years  the  membership  of  the 
church  was  advanced  from  162  to  264. 

The  pastorate  of  Rev.  Homer  N.  Dunning,  extend- 
ing from  1866  to  1883,  seventeen  years,  is  the  longest  of 
any  with  our  church. 

In  1876  we  celebrated  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  the 
church.  This  was  also  the  year  of  the  great  revival  and 
as  a  result  118  were  added  to  our  church  on  profession. 
Following  this  revival  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized 
and  has  been  a  power  for  Christian  growth  among  our 
young  people. 

The  Sunday  school  increased  in  attendance  and  help- 
fulness, and  the  religious  life  of  the  church  and  com- 
munity greatly  benefitted.  The  additions  to  the  church 
brought  the  membership  from  246  to  416. 

Between  the  pastorates  of  Rev.  H.  N.  Dunning  and 
of  Rev.  James  H.  Ross,  his  successor,  a  chapel  was  built 
on  the  church  property  and  was  used  for  a  portion  of  the 
Sunday  school,  for  prayer  meetings,  and  social  gather- 
ings, and  proved  a  very  helpful  addition  to  efficient 
church  work.  The  pasto'rate  of  Mr.  Ross  was  short,  only 
four  and  a  half  years.  During  this  time  occurred  the 
50th  anniversary  "of  the  church.  This  was  fittingly  ob- 
served by  services  on  the  Sabbath,  and  a  social  gathering 
on  Monday  evening.  A  very  pleasant  feature  was  the 
Union  Communion  service  of  the  Norwalk  Congrega- 
tional Church  with  us  on  Sunday  afternoon,  conducted 
by  the  pastors  of  the  Norwalk  and  South  Norwalk  Con- 
gregational Churches,  and  the  elements  distributed  by 
the  deacons  of  the  two  churches. 

This  service  was  so  highly  appreciated  that  for  sev- 
eral years  a  similar  one  was  held,  alternating  between 

u 


the  churches,  marking  the  spiritual  growth  of  the  church. 
In  1887  sixty-one  were  received  on  profession,  largely 
from  the  young  people  of  the  church  and  Sunday  school. 
The  church  membership  was  increased  from  416  to  497 
during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Ross.  The  movement  for  a 
new  church  building,  started  during  the  early  part  of 
Mr.  Dunning's  pastorate,  and  earnestly  advocated  by 
him,  took  definite  form  during  Mr.  Ross's  ministry. 

The  old  church  property  was  sold,  a  generous  sub- 
scription raised,  a  new  site  was  purchased  and  ground 
broken  for  the  new  structure  May  31,  1888.  The  laying 
of  the  foundation  was  begun  July  25th.  The  corner  slone 
was  laid  October  24,  1888.  Hon.  John  H.  Ferris,  chair- 
man of  the  building  committee,  was  master  of  cere- 
monies. Addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  Edward  Ander- 
son, pastor  of  the  Norwalk  Congregational  Church ;  Rev. 
H.  A.  Delano,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church;  Rev. 
Charles  E.  Harris,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church ;  Rev.  J.  A.  Biddle,  of  Hartford,  to  whom  we 
had  extended  a  call  to  become  our  pastor,  and  Frank  A. 
Ferris,  then  of  New  York. 

Deacon  Stephen  G.  Ferris  laid  the  corner  stone, 
using  a  silver  trowel.  The  new  church  was  completed 
and  worship  begun  the  last  Sunday  in  December,  1889. 
The  dedication  was  early  in  January,  1890.  Rev.  Jacob 
A.  Biddle  accepted  our  call  and  began  his  work  with  us 
in  November,  1888,  and  aided  us  in  making  good  use 
of  the  impulse  given  to  our  religious  interest  by  the 
removal  to  our  new  church.  Ill  health  limited  the  activ- 
ities to  which  his  earnest  spirituality  prompted  him,  and 
he  resigned  in  April,  1891. 

The  pastorate  of  Rev.  Gerald  H.  Beard,  Ph.D.,  be- 
gan October  i,  1892.  A  young  man,  well  equipped  for 
the  ministry  by  natural  qualifications  and  educational  ad- 
vantages, to  this,  his  first  charge,  he  gave  himself 
unreservedly.  He  was  a  preacher  of  unusual  strength 
and  a  worker  of  excellent  executive  ability.  He 
strengthened  the  organized  work  of  the  church,  and 
added  to  it  until  it  included  all  classes  of  the  members  of 
the  church  and  congregation,  including  The  Men's  Sun- 
day Club;  The  Woman's  Missionary  Association,  with 
its  charity  and  visiting  committees ;  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E., 
including  an  Intermediate  and  Junior  organization; 
three  circles  of  King's  Daughters ;  one  circle  of  King's 
Sons.  A  most  helpful  service  was  rendered  the  young 
people  and  the  children  of  the  church  by  the  pastor's 


classes  for  instruction,  in  which  church  membership  and 
Christian  living  was  presented  in  simple  form.  The  value 
of  this  work  was  apparent  in  those  who  came  before 
the  church  committee  for  admission  to  the  church.  Dr. 
Beard's  pastorate  was  terminated  by  a  call  to  the  College 
Street  Congregational  Church,  Burlington,  Vt.  The  pre- 
sent pastor,  Rev.  Paul  M.  Strayer,  began  his  work  with 
us  January  ist,  1901.  The  favorable  beginning  of  this 
ministry  argues  well  for  its  success. 


1 


AT    TRINITY    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH 
OF       SOUTH        NORWALK 

Rev.  Romily  F.  Humphries,  of  this  church,  spoke 
as  follows: 

NE  law  of  the  kingdom  of  God  is  ex- 
tension, or,  to  use  a  word  made 
familiar  to  us  to-day  by  happenings  of 
state,  expansion.  That  is  the  mission- 
ary spirit.  Trinity  church,  South  Nor- 
walk,  was  the  result  of  expansion.  On 
September  5,  1858,  a  number  of  par- 
ishioners of  St.  Paul's,  Norwalk,  01- 
ganized  "a  Missionary  and  Benevolent  Society  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  services  of  the  church  and  build 
a  chapel  for  that  purpose,''  in  South  Norwalk.  The  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected:  Rev.  William  Cooper  Mead, 
D.  D.,  president  ex-officio;  John  H.  Smith,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  F.  St.  John  Gibbs,  secretary ;  Charles  F.  Osborn, 
treasurer.  According  to  records  of  St.  Paul's  parish,  Al- 
fred H.  Camp  was  elected  secretary,  but  according  to 
letter  dated  September  5,  1859,  and  attested  by  secretary 
of  the  meeting,  F.  St.  John  Gibbs  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  secretary. 

A  piece  of  ground  was  bought  for  $1,163.37,  and 
paid  for.  Two-thirds  of  this  land  was  reserved  for  future 
sale  in  the  hope  that  it  would  soon  be  worth  the  cost  of 
the  whole.  At  the  time  of  sale  it  brought  $2,500. 

On  March  23,  1860,  it  was  resolved  to  proceed  at 
once  to  erect  a  chapel  at  South  Norwalk,  with  the  very 
positive  understanding  that  when  the  chapel  should  be 
furnished  and  ready  for  use  it  should  be  free  of  debt. 
Unfortunately  Trinity  parish  has  more  than  once  felt  the 
pressure  of  debt,  but  this  spirit  of  our  fathers  has  not 
been  lost ;  it  is  the  grain,  so  to  say,  to-day,  and  is  a 
worthy  inheritance.  With  the  rector,  Dr.  Mead,  were 
associated  John  H.  Smith,  Jonathan  Camp  and  Charles 
F.  Osborn  as  building  committee.  The  final  report  of 
this  committee  was  submitted  July  15,  1861.  The  corner 
stone  had  been  laid  on  May  9,"  1860,  by  the  Rt.-Rev. 
John  Williams,  assistant  bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  the 
chapel  consecrated  by  him  on  May  7,  1861.  John  H. 
Smith  and  D.  H.  Webb  were  appointed  general  super- 
visors of  all  minor  affairs  of  the  chapel.  The  Rev.  Thom- 

64 


as  Edward  Pattison,  curate  of  St.  Paul's  church,  Nor- 
walk, was  placed  in  charge  of  the  services.  Prior  to  the 
erection  of  Trinity  chapel  services  had  been  held  in  Ely's 
hall,  South  Norwalk,  when,  on  July  8,  1859,  the  initial 
steps  were  taken  toward  the  organization  of  the  Mission- 
ary and  Benevolent  society. 

For  the  next  six  years  the  history  of  Trinity  chapel 
is  the  record  of  a  growing  mission  faithfully  watched 
and  sustained  by  the  mother  parish.  But  now  the  young 
child  began  to  be  conscious  of  its  own  strength ;  it  still 
desired  some  of  the  fostering  income,  but  suggested  that 
it  could  dispense  with  parental  control. 

In  1867  Dr.  Mead,  Joseph  W.  Hubbell,  Samuel  E. 
Olmstead    and  Winfield  S.  Hanford   were  appointed  a 
committee  to  take  the  stature  of  this  ambitious  child  and 
judge  if  she  could  walk  alone.     This  committee  reported 
adversely.     In  "numbers  and  in  some  other  respects"  the 
members  of  the  chapel  were  not  judged  strong  enough 
for  separate  and  independent  parish  life.     Probably  had 
they  been  strong  enough  "in  some  other  respects"  their 
deficiency  in  numbers  would  not  have  defeated  their  am- 
bition.    However,  the  committee  hoped  "that  the  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  these  conditions  will  be  met,  and 
then  it  is  not  doubted  that  the  parent  will  give  sympathy 
and  liberal  aid."     Nothing  daunted  the  chapel  worship- 
pers declared  in  the  following  year  that  they  had  grown 
and  were  anxious  to  try  their  strength.    The  parish  of 
St.  Paul's  heeded  this  cry  and  voted  that  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  church  in  South  Norwalk  would  be 
furthered  if  the  chapel  should  become  independent.    The 
gentlemen  of  Trinity  chapel  responded,  expressing  pleas- 
ure at  the  vote  and  desiring  to  be  set  free,  with  their 
chapel  property  intact,  that  they  might  proceed  "to  or- 
ganize a  new  parish  at  South  Norwalk  in  the  town  of 
Norwalk  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God  according 
to  the  forms,  rites  and  usages  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church." 

This  communication  was  read  at  a  parish  meeting 
of  St.  Paul's,  April  5,  1868,  and  on  motion  of  SamueJ 
Lynes,  consent  was  given  for  the  foundation  of  a  new 
parish,  and  Charles  F.  Osborn,  treasurer  of  the  parish, 
was  authorized  to  convey  the  chapel  property  to  the  new 
corporation  when  all  ecclesiastical  and  state  requirements 
were  satisfied. 

On  April  7,  1868,  the  new  organization  was  formed 
and  the  Episcopal  society  of  Trinity  church,  South  Nor- 


walk,  became  independent  of  the  mother  parish  with  the 
following  corporate  members:  Winfield  S.  Hanford,  El- 
birt  A.  Woodward,  Walter  C.  Quintard,  Burr  Knapp, 
Lemuel  A.  Austin,  Charles  R.  Bennett,  Ira  F.  Hoyt, 
Robert  I.  Tolles,  Edgar  B.  Hoyt,  Edward  D.  Cornell, 
John  H.  Smith,  Benjamin  F.  Wilcox,  Alfred  Chichester, 
Thomas  Wilcox,  Henry  C.  Ely,  Henry  R.  Fitch,  A.  L. 
Vanderbilt,  Stephen  S.  Hatch,  E.  A.  Curtis,  Samuel 
Waters,  David  H.  Webb,  Isaac  N.  Smith,  Henry  R.  Oil- 
man, Edwin  Grumman,  William  S.  Knapp,  George  A. 
Keeler,  Walter  D.  Smith  and  Royal  D.  Higgins,  M.  D. 
E.  A.  Woodward  was  elected  clerk  of  the  parish.  Win- 
field  S.  Hanford  was  the  first  senior  warden,  which  office 
he  held  until  1882.  John  H.  Smith  was  elected  junior 
warden,  was  re-elected  each  year  until  1882,  when  he  be- 
came senior  warden.  This  office  he  held  until  his  death 
in  1895. 

The  first  vestrymen  were:  David  H.  Webb,  Lem- 
uel A.  Austin,  Edgar  B.  Hoyt,  A.  L.  Vanderbilt,  Burr 
Knapp,  John  H.  Smith  was  elected  treasurer.  The  Rev. 
Curtis  T.  Woodruff  resigned  the  curacy  of  St.  Paul's, 
Norwalk,  to  become  the  first  rector  of  Trinity  church. 
He  was  called  April  13,  1868,  and  resigned  April  21, 
1870.  The  record  of  the  next  four  rectorships  may  be 
passed  by  with  brief  notice.  It  is  a  history 
of  ups  and  downs.  Pastors  worked  faithfully 
and  people  responded  with  loyalty  and  devotion.  If  some 
days  were  not  so  bright  and  hopeful  as  others,  still  priest 
and  people  worshipped  and  worked  in  earnest  service, 
they  planted  and  watered  in  faith  that  God  would  give 
the  increase. 

The  Rev.  William  G.  Spencer,  D.D.,  accepted  a  call 
to  the  rectorship  September  21,  1870,  and  remained  until 
May  8,  1882.  A  rectory  was  built  for  Dr.  Spencer, 
which,  with  the  lot  on  which  it  stood,  was  sold  later  when 
the  parish  was  in  need  of  funds.  The  Rev.  George  P. 
Hebbard  became  rector  in  July,  1882,  and  resigned  No- 
vember 30,  1885.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Bell  was  called 
January  28,  1886.  and  resigned  charge  September  19, 
1887. 

An  interval  of  more  than  seven  years  elapsed  before 
another  rector  was  called.  The  Rev.  Olin  Hallock  ac- 
cepted a  call  May  i,  1888,  and  resigned  on  account  of  ill 
health  June  i,  1895.  On  October  28,  of  the  same  year, 
the  Rev.  F.  W.  Norris  became  rector.  His  resignation 
was  accepted  to  take  effect  June  i,  1900.  The  rectorship 

68 


of  Mr.  Morris  was  one  of  re-organization,  strengthening 
and  enlargement.  So  far  back  as  1890,  Miss  Katherine 
Atherton  started  a  building  fund  for  a  new  church  build- 
ing, but  it  remained  for  Mr.  Norris  to  institute  the  new 
movement  and  carry  it  to  completion.  Under  his  ad- 
ministration the  church  grew  in  numbers  and  "in  some 
other  respects"  so  that  in  the  summer  of  1899,  it  was 
ready  to  proceed  at  once  to  enlarge  the  church  building. 
The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  a  building  com- 
mittee: S.  C.  Palmer,  G.  C.  Stillson,  R.  H.  Golden  and 
Stephen  S.  Hatch.  The  work  was  completed  at  a  totai 
cost  of  $11,606.26,  all  paid  for  when  the  committee  sub- 
mitted its  final  report  April  16,  1900.  The  corner  stone 
of  the  new  church  was  laid  on  October  i,  eighteenth 
Sunday  after  Trinity,  1899,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Chauncey 
Bunce  Brewster,  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  the  new 
church  consecrated  by  him  May  26,  1900.  The  resigna- 
tion of  Mr.  Norris  was  most  reluctantly  accepted,  April 
27th,  1900,  when  resolutions  appreciative  of  "his  splen- 
did work  in  stimulating  spiritual  life  and  promoting 
growth  in  numbers  and  financial  strength."  In  August, 
1900,  a  marble  altar  was  erected  in  honor  of  William 
Cooper  Mead,  D.D.,  founder  of  Trinity  church,  and 
placed  in  the  sanctuary,  a  bequest  from  his  daughter. 
The  Rev.  Romilly  F.  Humphries  assumed  charge  as  rec- 
tor November  i,  1900.  At  Easter,  1901,  the  parish  pre- 
sented a  handsome  marble  and  Caen  stone  reredos  in 
memory  of  John  H.  Smith,  whose  life  was  so  closely  link- 
ed with  that  of  the  parish'.  The  present  wardens  and 
vestrymen  are:  Senior  warden,  George  C.  Stillson; 
junior  warden,  Josiah  N.  Grumman;  vestrymen,  Col. 
Leslie  Smith.  William  W.  Lester,  Philip  N.  Knapp, 
Minot  S.  Smith,  David  W.  Raymond,  Milford  A.  Giffin, 
Charles  H.  Aisthorpe  and  Edwin  H.  Mathewson;  treas- 
urer, Col.  Leslie  Smith;  clerk,  Samuel  W.  Hoyt,  Jr.; 
sexton.  Robert  H.  Wood.  It  is  true  this  record  does  not 
set  forth  what  might  be  termed  the  inner  life  of  Trinity 
Parish.  Its  influence  as  a  church  upon  the  community, 
its  ministration  to  human  lives,  but  these,  no  human  rec- 
ords would  be  sufficient  to  show.  Perhaps  the  best  testi 
mony  is  to  be  seen  in  its  present  outlook.  Trinity  church 
in  its  old  life  and  in  its  new  is  aglow  with  desire  to  fulfill 
the  wishes  of  her  Master. 

God  grant  that  as  the  day  of  Trinity  Church  con- 
tinue, so  her  strength  may  be  sufficient  for  this  service. 


AT    THE    SOUTH     NORWALK 
METHODIST        CHURCH 

LARGE  congregation  gathered  at  the 
South  Norwalk  Methodist  church,  to 
attend  the  special  celebration  service. 
Rev.  Walter  W.  T.  Duncan  delivered 
an  able  address  on  "A  Brief  Sketch  of 
Methodism  in  South  Norwalk."  His 
text  was  Numbers  xxiii.,  23:  "What 
hath  God  Wrought?"  A  digest  of  his 
remarks  follow: 

"The  very  first  of  the  original  Methodists  to  visit 
New  England  was  really  one  of  that  band  of  devout  and 
scholarly  young  men  in  Oxford,  England,  called  in  de- 
rision 'The  Holy  club.'  It  was  none  other  than  the  Rev. 
Charles  Wesley,  M.  A.  This,  however,  was  before  his 
experience  of  the  Witness  of  the  Spirit,  without  which 
Methodism  would  never  have  been  the  power  it  has  be- 
come. It  is  therefore  more  correct  to  say  that  the  first 
Methodist  sermon  in  New  England  was  preached  thirty- 
six  years  later,  viz. :  1772,  when  the  Rev.  Richard  Bard- 
man,  one  of  America's  first  Methodist  missionaries,  es- 
tablished a  society  in  the  city  of  Boston.  But  still  later, 
in  the  year  1785,  the  Rev.  William  Black,  the  founder  of 
Methodism  in  Nova  Scotia,  was  on  his  way  to  Baltimore 
to  attend  the  famous  Christmas  conference  which  organ- 
ized the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  stopped  and 
preached  the  gospel  somewhere  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Bridgeport,  Conn.  But  still  one  more  itinerant  was 
destined  to  precede  the  great  founder  of  Methodism  in 
New  England ;  it  was  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Cook.  His 
career  was  short — only  two  years.  During  one  of  them 
he  preached  at  Norwalk. 

"We  come  now  to  Jesse  Lee.  He  was  the  'founder' 
because  he  gathered  up  the  scattered  fragments  of  Meth- 
odist labor  and  gave  to  them  permanent  form.  The  story 
of  his  first  visit  to  Norwalk  is  this:  It  was  Wednesday 
afternoon,  the  I7th  day  of  June,  1789.  At  4  o'clock  a 
preacher  on  horseback  appeared  before  the  door  of  Heze- 
kiah  Rogers.  This  gentleman  was  away  and  Lee  made 
his  desire  known  to  Mrs.  Rogers.  He  desired  to  preach 
in  her  house.  She  refused,  explaining  that  her  husband 
was  absent.  Lee  asked  the  use  of  an  old  deserted  build- 


ing,  or  of  the  orchard.  Being  refused  in  all,  he  went  out 
on  the  highway  and  proclaimed  the  message  of  free  salva- 
tion from  the  text,  'Ye  must  be  born  again.'  The  recep- 
tion he  -received  was  cold,  but  no  man  was  ever  better 
fitted  to  carry  the  message  of  experimental  religion  to  a 
people  who,  from  their  very  training,  were  calculated  to 
make  most  chilling  the  reception  of  such  a  preacher  as 
he.  He  adds  a  word  of  comment  which  at  once  shows 
his  sunny  faith  and  mounts  on  prophetic  wing:  'Who 
knows  but  I  shall  yet  have  a  place  in  this  town  where  I 
may  lay  my  head?' 

"The  first  circuit  formed  in  this  section  of  country 
was  known  as  the  Fairfield  circuit.  It  embraced  a  terri- 
tory which  then  had  only  few  members,  and  no  regularly 
appointed  pastor  but  which  now  has  some  twenty-three 
pastors  and  some  six  thousand  members. 

"It  was  not,  however,  till  Absolom  Day,  a  Methodist 
convert  from  New  York  city,  came  to  South  Norwalk 
that  Methodism  really  took  root.  He  opened  his  house 
for  preaching.  But,  noble-hearted,  godly  man  that  he 
was,  he  seemed  destined  to  see  the  cause  he  loved  de- 
cline and  die;  for  despite  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
itinerants  the  field  proved  so  barren  of  results  that  it  was 
decided  to  abandon  it  as  a  preaching  place. 

"But  on  the  day  selected  for  the  last  service,  several 
persons  received  a  religious  awakening,  a  revival  broke 
out  which  resulted  in  the  bringing  of  Methodism  at  once 
into  prominence  and  prosecution.  Great  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  securing  suitable  accommodation.  It  was 
not  until  the  year  1817  that  the  first  church  building  was 
dedicated.  In  1834  Norwalk  became  a  separate  charge 
and  had  a  pastor  of  its  own.  In  1836  the  first  parsonage 
was  built,  the  land  having  been  given  by  Absolom  Day. 
It  was  situated  on  what  is  now  South  Main  street.  This 
property  was  abandoned  in  the  year  1851,  and  the  next 
year  the  present  grounds  purchased.  The  building  pur- 
chased with  it  was  used  as  a  parsonage  until  sixteen  years 
later  the  present  building  was  substituted. 

"The  second  church  building  was  erected  in  1843 
during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Harvey  Husted.  Some 
thirteen  years  later  while  the  Rev.  Francis  Baltome  was 
pastor,  the  old  edifice  was  enlarged  and  its  seating  ca- 
pacity increased  to  six  hundred.  In  1858  the  Methodis 
church  in  Norwalk  was  established  and  although  through 
this  movement  and  the  subsequent  establishment  of  two 
Methodist  Episcopal  churches  in  the  town  of  Norwalk 


"Old  First"  lost  many  members,  she  has  continued 
strong  to  this  hour  and  brings  forth  blessed  fruit  in  her 
old  age. 

"In  the  evening  Rev.  Mr.  Duncan  gave  the  annual 
address  to  the  firemen  of  South  Norwalk  and  East  Nor- 
walk.  The  church  was  filled  to  overflowing  upstairs  and 
down.  About  ninety  firemen  were  in  attendance  in  full 
uniform.  They  declared  the  service  to  be  most  instruc- 
tive and  enjoyable.  Mr.  Duncan  made  several  additions 
to  the  historical  data  given  in  the  morning  in  regard  to 
Methodism  in  order  that  the  record  to  be  filed  would 
be  complete.  The  church  was  decorated  with  flags  in 
keeping  with  the  day. 


SKETCH     OF    ST.    MARY'S 
PAfRISH       (CATHOLIC) 


HE  honor  of  being  the  first  Catholics 
to  settle  in  Norwalk  belongs  to  Mich- 
ael Cooney  and  family  who  came  from 
New  York  in  May,  1828.  Mr.  Coo- 
ney was  a  hat  dyer  and  lived  near  the 
dock  on  the  east  side  of  Water  street. 
William  Donahoe  followed  with  his 
family  of  six  persons  in  1829.  Cle- 
ment Burns  came  later  and  four  years  later  the  families  of 
Farrell  Gillooly  and  of  Brennan  arrived.  Father  Mc- 
Dermott  visited  Norwalk  semi-annually  from  1832  until 
his  transfer  to  Lowell  in  1837,  each  time  celebrating 
mass  in  the  front  room  of  Mr.  Cooney's  house.  The  next 
priest  to  visit  Norwalk  was  Rev.  James  Smyth  of  New 
Haven.  During  his  visits  here  he  celebrated  mass  in 
various  places,  including  a  residence  in  Five  Mile  River. 
In  1848  a  committee  embracing  Paul  Bresnen,  John 
Hanlon,  John  Foley,  Terence  Reynolds  and  Farrell  Gil- 
hooly  was  appointed  to  frame  a  petition  to  Bishop  Tyler 
for  a  resident  priest.  Accordingly,  he  appointed  Rev. 
John  Brady  to  Norwalk,  with  Stamford  and  other  places 
nearby  as  dependencies.  Father  Brady  began  imme- 
diately to  prepare  for  a  church  building.  Both  Protes- 
tants and  Catholics  contributed  generously  to  the  erec- 
tion of  the  edifice.  An  anecdote  will  illustrate  the  feel- 
ing of  good  will  that  prevailed  among  all  classes.  Paul 
Bresnen  and  Terence  Reynolds  were  appointed  the  com- 
mittee to  solicit  aid  from  non-Catholics.  The  most  in- 
fluential man  in  the  town  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mead  of  St. 
Paul's  Episcopal  church.  He  must  be  secured  to  head 
the  list,  said  the  committee;  so  to  him  they  went  and, 
after  making  their  business  known,  Dr.  Mead,  who 
knew  the  men  very  well,  said,  "Paul,  how  is  it  you  come 
to  me  first?  Why  not  go  to  the  Congregational  minis- 
ter, Dr.  Hall?"  Paul,  who  was  always  ready,  promptly 
replied,  "Well,  Dr.,  we  know  you  to  be  an  offshoot  from 
the  parent  stock."  The  Dr.  took  the  list  and  headed  it 
generously  and  was  followed  by  Dr.  Hall  and  many  of 
the  most  influential  citizens  of  the  town.  The  church 
was  completed  in  1851  and  on  January  28th  of  that  year, 
it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  O'Reilly.  In  1853,  Father 


Brady  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  ,E.  C.  Cooney,  who  re- 
mained only  one  year.  Old  residents  remember  him  as 
specially  zealous  in  promoting  the  temperance  cause. 
Next  came  Rev.  Hugh  O'Reilly,  whose  pastorate  lasted 
five  years.  On  July  iSth,  1859,  RCV-  John  Mulligan, 
D.D.,  one  of  the  most  talented  and  promising  clergymen 
in  the  Hartford  diocese,  assumed  charge.  He  died  Jan- 
uary I2th,  1862.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Peter  A. 
Smith,  who  came  here  from  East  Bridgeport,  who  or- 
ganized a  school  and  who  began  and  completed  the  pres- 
ent church,  excepting  the  spire.  The  corner  stone  was 
laid  in  1869  and  the  edifice  was  dedicated  in  1870.  It 
cost  $85,000  but  there  was  an  indebtedness  of  only  $20,- 
ooo  when  dedicated.  It  is  a  Gothic  structure  60x130 
and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  1,200  persons.  Father 
Smith  died  December  i6th,  1875,  after  a  very  successful 
pastorate.  Rev.  P.  O'Dwyer  succeeded  in  January, 
1876.  His  term  of  service  was  brief,  though  replete  with 
works  that  redounded  to  the  welfare  of  the  parish.  Rev. 
John  Russell  followed  January  3Oth,  1878.  He  built  St. 
Mary's  Parochial  School,  purchased  the  convent  and  in- 
troduced the  Sisters  of  Mercy  from  Meriden  into  this 
parish.  His  successor  was  Rev.  Wm.  J.  Slocum,  who 
came  in  1883.  He  completed  the  church  by  the  erection 
of  a  spire  and  also  liquidated  the  indebtedness  on  the 
church  to  the  joy  of  his  parishioners.  During  his  in- 
cumbency St.  Mary's  parish  was  raised  to  the  dignity 
of  a  permanent  rectorship.  His  successor  in  September, 
1895,  was  Rev.  G.  B.  A.  Dougherty,  who  remained  one 
year.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  present  rector  (Septem- 
ber, 1901)  the  Rev.  John  Furlong,  who  began  his  ad- 
ministration October  12,  1896.  Recognizing  the  im- 
portance of  a  place  for  social  entertainments  he  purchas- 
ed a  site  opposite  the  church  where  he  established  the 
Catholic  Club  in  1897. 

Written  for  the  Committee. 


ST.  JOSEPH'S  (CATHOLIC)  CHURCH 
OF       SOUTH       NORWALK 

Rev.  William  Maher,  D.  D.,  Rector. 

E  beautiful  new  church  on  South 
Main  Street,  the  pride  of  the  Catholic 
population  of  South  Norwalk,  and 
the  object  of  admiration  '  of  the, 
general  community,  has  been  the 
latest  addition  to  the  church  edifices 
of  the  city. 

Its  handsome  brick  facade  and 
broad  granite  approaches,  trimmed  with  brown  stone, 
attract  the  attention  of  the  stranger;  who  is  surprised 
on  entering  the  spacious  building  to  find  most  superb 
ly  harmonious  furniture  and  decorations.  The 
stained  glass  windows,  the  chancel  drapery,  the  statuary, 
the  mural  paintings,  the  ''Way  of  the  Cross,''  the 
paneled  ceiling  outlined  in  gold,  the  noble  organ,  the 
beautiful  altars  in  white  and 'cream  and  gold — all  com- 
bine to  form  an  exquisitely  artistic  interior. 

The  color  effect  by  day  is  superb,  particularly  when 
the  morning  sunlight  is  beaming  through  the  rich 
opalescent  glass  of  the  great  rosette  window  above  the 
organ  gallery,  or  in  the  later  hours  when  the  sun's  rays 
gleam  through  the  beautiful  cathedral  glass  of  the 
chancel  lancet  groups,  consisting  of  the  Crucifixion  the 
Sacrifice  of  Abraham  and  the  Sacrifice  of  Melchisedec. 
But  surpassing  the  polychrome  beauty  by  day  of  fresco 
and  richly  tinted  light,  is  the  dazzling  loveliness  of  the 
church  by  night,  when  lit  by  the  hundreds  of  electric 
lamps  clustered  around  the  capitals  of  the  pillars  and 
pillarettes  and  in  chancel  brackets,  or  hidden  behirt'd  the 
great  arch  of  the  sanctuary  and  in  the  alcoves  of  the 
lateral  shrines. 

Large  congregations  assemble  at  the  Vesper  ser- 
vices and  for  the  lecture  courses  given  by  Dr.  Maher 
on  the  Sunday  evenings  of  the  year,  not  only  to  listen  to 
the  choice  music  and  the  historical  and  doctrinal  ad- 
dresses, but  also  to  enjoy  the  strikingly  elevating  influ- 
ences of  the  beautiful  illumination. 

St.  Joseph's  Church  bears  witness  to  the  wonderful 
growth  of  Catholicity  in  the  Norwalks  in  the  last  half 
century.  In  his  historical  address  for  the  quarter  mil- 
lenial  celebration  of  the  town,  entitled  "The  Catholic 
Church  in  the  Norwalks  in  the  Latter  Half  of  the 


Century,"  the  Rev.  Rector  recalled  for  the  benefit  of  the 
large  congregation  that  packed  the  church  for  the  occa- 
sion the  leading  facts  in  the  foundation  and  progress  of 
the  Catholic  faith  here  in  our  midst. 

It  is  indeed  surprising  that  from  the  handful  of  a  flock 
of  twenty-five  souls,  a  little  more  than  fifty  years  ago, 
when  a  clergyman  visited  the  little  colony  about  every  six 
months,  the  Catholic  population  has  expanded  to  the 
number  of  5,000  in  the  Twin  Cities,  forming  two  pros- 
perous parishes,  served  by  three  clergymen,  and  enjoy- 
ing all  the  religious  and  educational  advantages  of  their 
belief. 

The  first  church  edifice  erected  by  the  Catholics  of 
the  town  was  built  in  1850,  and  dedicated  by  Bishop 
O'Reilly,  second  bishop 'of  the  Hartford  Diocese,  on  Jan. 
28,  1851.  It  has  since  been  known  as  "St.  Mary's 
Chapel."  The  present  stately  edifice  on  West  Avenue, 
was  dedicated  in  1870  at  a  cost  of  $85,000,  of  which 
amount  only  $20,000  were  unpaid  on  the  auspicious 
occasion. 

In  September,  1895,  St.  Joseph's  parish  was  founded, 
and  the  division  of  the  Catholics  of  the  twp  Norwalks 
into  separate  congregations  was  effected.  The  first  pas- 
tor of  the  new  flock  was  Rev.  John  T.  Winters,  who 
purchased  the  present  site  of  church  and  rectory,  and 
began  the  construction  of  the  present  building.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  on  April  4,  1897,  by  Rt.  Rev. 
Bishop  Tierney;  and  the  preacher  on  the  occasion  was 
the  present  rector,  Rev.  Dr.  Maher,  who  chose  for  his 
subject  ''The  Living  Voice  of  the  Church."  His  address 
was  a  powerful  exposition  of  the  credentials  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  made  a  very  deep  impression  on 
the  immense  throng  of  nearly  10,000  people  to  whom  it 
was  addressed. 

At  Easter,  April  3,  1899,  Dr.  Maher  succeeded  to 
the  pastorate  of  St.  Joseph's,  and  at  once  took  up  the 
work  of  completing  the  church.  The  dedication  took 
place  on  Decoration  Day,  1900,  and  there  were  present 
from  the  Diocese  and  neighboring  States  no  less  than 
125  clergymen. 

The  Catholics  of  South  Norwalk  have  earned  the 
good-will  and  'esteem  of  all  classes  and  creeds.  Politi- 
cally divided  between  the  two  great  parties,  they  are 
socially  the  peers  of  their  neighbors,  and  recognized  in- 
tellectually as  influential  elements  in  the  population  of 
the  city. 


St.   Joseph's  (Catholic)   Church. 


FIRST    METHODIST    CHURCH 
OF  N      O      R      W      A      L      K 

|  HE  services  at  the  Norwalk  Methodist 
church  were  of  a  purely  historical 
character.  Special  prayers  were  said 
for  the  president  and  the  latest  bulletin 
stating  his  condition  was  read.  After 
a  brief  introduction  the  pastor,  Rev. 
H.  B.  Munson,  gave  the  following 
statement  of  the  church's  history: 
Few  things  are  more  graphic  than  the  startling  con- 
trasts of  history.  A  single  passenger  on  a  sailing  vessel 
bound  for  Georgia  amazed  and  impressed  by  the  religious 
courage  of  a  band  of  Moravians  determined  to  know  for 
himself  the  certitude  of  the  things  to  be  believed.  The 
year  1735  and  the  passenger  John  Wesley.  That  is  the 
genesis  not  only  of  American  Methodism,  but  of  the 
world  wide  movement  of  the  Evangelical  Revival,  and 
of  the  far  greater  moral  and  religious  uplift  that  came  to 
all  the  forces  of  civilization  from  the  work  of  this  one 
leader.  The  little  band  of  Moravian  missionaries  builded 
better  than  they  knew  when  they  wrought  on  the  heart 
of  John  Wesley.  But  what  could  be  more  startling  than 
the  contrast  between  the  feeble  beginning  and  the  pres- 
ent status  of  Methodism,  now  the  most  numerous  of  all 
the  Protestant  denominations.  A  contrast  equally  as 
startling  and  more  pertinent  in  that  it  lies  around  us. 
As  can  be  seen  by  noting  the  early  history  of  Methodism 
in  our  own  town  and  its  growth  through  the  years 
since  its  introduction. 

Norwalk  was  already  more  than  a  century  old  be- 
fore a  Methodist  minister  appeared  on  its  streets. 
Judged  as  Americans  judge  age  the  town  might  have 
been  callled  ancient ;  its  forests  were  cleared ;  its  hillsides 
were  tilled;  its  roads  well  beaten;  its  social  and  com- 
munal religious  life  well  settled.  Like  all  other  towns 
in  the  same  region  its  traditions  were  fixed  and  honored 
with  most  scrupulous  observance.  The  old  Puritans 
held  first  to  the  doctrinal  decrees  and  to  tradition  and  it 
was  oftentimes  difficult  to  tell  which  was  most  tena- 
ciously adhered  to  and  honored.  He  might  occasion- 
ly  doubt  one  of  the  decrees  but  a  well  established  tra- 
dition was,  like  the  honored  guest,  given  the  place  of 

p 


highest  honor.  The  doctrines  he  held  may  be  briefly 
said  to  have  been  the  five  points  of  Calvinism,  and  the 
traditions  those  of  the  orderliness  and  regularity  of  the 
services  of  the  church  and  the  operations  of  sovereign 
grace.  Their  church  and  her  decrees  were  a  part  of  their 
town  government.  Their  churches  were  built,  their 
ministers  settled  and  supported,  their  schools  and  col- 
leges established  according  to  law;  and  a  tax  was  laid 
on  the  people  to  sustain  their  institutions  in  conjunction 
with  their  civil  institutions.  In  thus  provding  for  the 
support  of  the  parish  church,  they  took  care  to  guard 
against  the  introduction  of  other  sects,  as  far  as  they 
could,  simply  tolerating  them  in  holding  meetings,  while 
they  were  abridged  in  many  of  their  rights.  According 
GAL  10.  vbgkqj  cmfwyp  shrdlu  etaoinnnnn 

to  these  reglations  all  citizens  were  members  of  the 
Congregational  church,  and  obliged  to  pay  their  pro- 
portion of  the  support  of  the  church  unless  they  lodged 
a  certificate  with  the  town  clerk  that  they  had  attached 
themselves  to  some  other  society. 

The  very  appearance  of  a  Methodist  preacher  was  a 
challenge  to  both  doctrinal  decrees  and  the  traditions  of 
any  New  England  community;  for  in  place  of  the  five 
points  of  Calvinism  he  brought  the  counter  points  of  Ar- 
minianism,  and  instead  of  heeding  inviolable  customs  he 
violated  ruthlessly  all  of  the  observed  order  of  proce- 
dure. He  cared  for  no  meeting  house ;  a  wayside  tree,  a 
grove  of  them,  or  a  small  cottage  were  all  he  expected 
or  desired,  if  ten  or  twenty  persons  could  there  hear  the 
word  of  God.  There  is  no  desire  to  rehearse  the  story 
of  the  old  controversy  waged  with  such  bitterness  over 
this  New  England  field,  nor  to  narrate  the  modifications 
which  time  has  brought  to  both  parties  of  the  contest.  All 
that  is  past  and  both  parties  are  devoutly  glad  that  it  is. 
It  is  sufficient  for  our  purpose  this  morning  to  note  that 
the  place  where  Methodism  first  flung  its  challenge  to 
the  dominant  creed  lies  within  our  own  city  limits,  and 
that  the  pioneer  preacher  was  Jesse  Lee. 

On  the  1 7th  of  June,  1789,  Jesse  Lee  preached  his 
first  sermon  in  New  England  at  Norwalk,  Conn.  The 
difficulties  he  encountered  at  the  outset  were  characteris- 
tic of  the  community,  and  were  met  by  his  characteristic 
persistence.  He  writes  in  his  diary,  under  date  of 
Wednesday,  June  17,  1789,  "I  set  off  to  take  a  town 
farther  into  Connecticut  than  any  of  our  preachers  have 
been.  I  am  the  first  that  has  been  appointed  to  this  state 


by  the  conference.  I  set  out  with  a  prayer  to  God  for  a 
blessing  on  my  endeavors  and  with  an  expectation  of 
many  oppositions. 

"At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  he  arrived  at  Nor- 
walk  and  applied  for  a  private  house  to  preach  in  but 
was  refused.  He  then  asked  for  the  use  of  an  old  de- 
serted building  in  sight,  but  was  again  refused.  He  pro- 
posed to  preach  in  a  neighboring  orchard  but  was  still 
refused.  He  took  his  stand  at  last,  under  an  apple  tree 
on  the  public  road,  surrounded  by  twenty  hearers.  After 
singing  and  praying,  he  says,  I  preached  from  John  III., 
7:  'Ye  must  be  born  again.'  I  felt  happy  that  we  were 
favored  with  so  comfortable  a  place.  After  preaching  I 
told  the  people  I  intended  to  be  with  them  again  in  two 
weeks ;  and  if  any  of  them  would  open  their  houses  to 
me  I  would  be  glad;  but  if  they  were  not  willing  we 
would  meet  in  the  same  place.  Who  knows  but  I  shall 
yet  have  a  place  in  this  town  where  I  can  lay  my  head?" 
(See  Stevens's  history). 

The  apple  tree  referred  to  stood  at  the  corner  of 
Main  street  and  North  avenue,  near  where  the  water  tank 
is  now  placed.  Mr.  Lee  proceeded  in  his  work  till  he 
formed  a  regular  circuit  including  the  towns  of  Norwalk, 
Fairfield,  Stratford,  Milford,  Redding,  Danbury  and 
Canaan.  In  this  circuit  the  oldest  society  was  Stratford, 
Redding  was  second.  The  first  Methodist  church  in 
New  England  was  built  in  the  town  of  Weston  and  call- 
ed in  honor  of  the  pioneer  Lee's  chapel.  (The  building 
was  rebuilt  in  1813.  Authority  for  above,  Bangs's  His- 
tory, Vol.  i,  pages  286-93.)  I*  'ls  not  known  when  the 
Norwalk  society  was  first  formed,  probably  not  later  than 
1790.  The  services  of  the  society  were  held  for  several 
years  in  the  red  school  house  in  South  Norwalk,  in  1816. 
The  first  building  was  erected  on  the  site  at  present  occu- 
pied by  the  new  church  at  South  Norwalk.  From  this 
time  the  growth  of  the  society  was  rapid  and  in  1834  the 
appointment  was  changed  from  a  circuit,  or  a  part  of  one, 
to  a  station.  The  next  date  which  claims  our  attention, 
as  marking  an  epoch  in  the  Methodist  history  in  this 
place  is  1858.  It  was  in  this  year  that  the  Methodists 
living  in  this  part  of  the  town  drew  away  from  the  parent 
society,  and  formed  the  organization  of  what  is  known 
legally  as  the  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of 
Norwalk,  but  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  the  uptown  or 
Norwalk  church. 

There  had  been  for  some  years  preceding  the  date 


last  mentioned,  a  feeling  that  this  was  a  goodly  land  and 
that  we,  as  good  Methodists,  ought  to  go  in  and  possess 
it.  But  how  or  when  best  to  do  it  was  the  question  that 
seemed  to  baffle  the  minds  of  those  who  most  pondered 
it.  The  way  was  shown  finally  and  the  propitious  time 
came  and  as  we  look  back  at  it  from  this  vantage  place 
we  can  see  that  both  the  way  and  the  time  were  provi- 
dential. An  unknown  but  conscientious  hostman  writ- 
ing in  the  church  records,  records  the  fact  in  these 
words:  "The  division,  which  must  inevitably  have  come, 
was  hastened  by  certain  irritating  circumstances  which 
occurred  during  the  pastorate  of  Geo.  C.  Creevy  and 
caused  his  removal,  and  the  appointment  of  Hart  F. 
Pease  in  the  spring  of  1858."  The  meaning  of  that 
diplomatic  phase  "irritating  circumstances"  there  are 
man)'  here  who  well  remember,  sufficient  it  is  for  our 
purpose  to  note  that  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  new  con- 
ference year,  April  25,  1858,  a  meeting  was  held  in 
"Phoenix  Hall,"  which  stood  on  the  South  side  of  Wall 
street,  east  of  the  bridge.  The  preacher  was  Dr.  Asa 
Hill,  the  text  Phil,  i  :2Q,  "For  unto  you  it  is  given  in  the 
behalf  of  Christ  not  only  to  believe  on  Him,  but  also  to 
suffer  with  him."  At  this  service  96  persons  gave  their 
names  as  desiring  to  unite  with  the  new  uptown  society 
and  two  committees  were  appointed,  one  on  place  of 
worship  consisting  of  Platt  Price,  D.  W.  Nash,  G.  P. 
Adams,  David  Betts,  Sherman  Cole,  George  T.  Brady 
and  S.  R.  Bunting  and  one  on  Sunday  school,  George  T. 
Brady,  George  W.  Selleck,  S.  ,H.  Holmes  and  Daniel 
Fitch. 

At  the  second  service  of  this  day  E.  J.  Peck,  a  local 
preacher,  spoke  from  Pro.  III.,  6:  "In  all  thy  ways,"  etc., 
and  twenty  more  entered  their  names  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a  society. 

The  meetings  were  held  in  the  hall  above  mentioned, 
in  private  houses  and  in  a  barn  fitted  with  temporary 
benches. 

The  first  officers  of  the  society  when  it  was  formed 
by  the  presiding  elder,  E.  E.  Griswold,  were  as  follows: 

Preacher  in  charge — Dr.  Asa  Hill. 

Trustees — David  Nash,  George  W.  Selleck,  George 
T.  Brady,  Gerardus  P.  Adams,  Platt  Price,  Sherman 
Cole,  Samuel  R.  Bunting. 

Stewards — Nathan  D.  Beers,  David  Betts,  Silas  B. 
Meeker,  George  Nash,  Joseph  B.  Scribner. 


Class  Leaders— G.  P.  Adams,  Garrett  Haulenbeck, 
Albert  Morehouse,  David  Betts,  Daniel  Fitch. 

The  Sunday  school  superintendent — Garrett  Hau- 
lenbeck. 

Efforts  were  at  once  put  forth  to  secure  a  site  for  a 
church  building  and  the  committee,  Dr.  Asa  Hill,  Platt 
Price  and  Sherman  Cole,  bought  for  the  society  the 
ground  on  which  the  church  now  stands  for  $1,600  and 
within  a  month  thereafter  a  building  committee  consist- 
ing of  Dr.  Hill,  Albert  Morehouse  and  Garrett  Haulen- 
beck was  appointed  with  power. 

Plans  drawn  by  Tappan  Reeve,  of  Brooklyn,  archi- 
tect, were  approved  and  the  contract  for  building  let  to 
Thomas  W.  Lowe,  of  Brooklyn.  Work  was  begun  in 
November,  1859.  The  building  was  raised  and  enclosed 
and  rapidly  approaching  completion,  when  an  unlocked 
for  calamity  befell  the  society  in  the  destruction  of  the 
church  by  a  terrible  gale  which  occurred  February  10, 
1860. 

"This  calamity  fell  very  heavily  upon  the  builder, 
but  the  brethren  consented  to  pay  him  $2,500  extra,  for 
which  he  agreed  to  go  forward  and  complete  the  build- 
ing according  to  the  original  contract." 

The  dedicatory  services,  upon  the  completion  of  the 
structure,  were  held  December  6,  1860,  Bishop  Janes, 
Dr.  Bartine,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Dr.  Wakely,  of  New 
York,  preaching  the  sermons. 

No  estimate  of  the  sacrifice  and  devotion  which  ren- 
dered this  achievement  possible,  would  be  at  all  adequate 
that  did  not  give  discriminating  but  generous  praise  to 
the  leaders  and  the  whole  company  of  believers.  They 
all  worked  and  prayed  and  gave  time,  worry  and  devotion 
that  this  building  might  be  commissioned  for  its  work. 
Those  were  days  in  which  few  or  none  came  singing  "I 
pray  thee  have  me  excused."  It  is  not  because  we  are 
mindful  of  this  devotion  that  we  single  out  for  mention 
the  work  and  name  of  one  man.  He  it  was  who  like  the 
great  Hebrew  of  old,  piloted  the  people  of  God  through 
their  wanderings  and  brought  them  to  their  fixed  habita- 
tion. Dr.  Hill,  consecrated  lay-preacher  that  he  was,  and 
the  church's  first  pastor,  laid  the  foundation  in  more 
senses  than  one,  and  all  the  pastors  who  have  come  since 
have  but  built  on  his  foundation.  Better  cannot  be  said 
of  him  than  to  repeat  the  resolution  passed  by  the  officials 
of  the  church  at  the  termination  of  his  pastoral  work. 

"Resolved:     By  the  joint  board  of  leaders,  stewards, 


and  trustees  of  the  Second  M.  E.  church  of  Norwalk,  that 
as  a  church  we  are  under  obligations  to  Dr.  Asa  Hill, 
which  we  can  never  repay,  for  his  active  faithfulness,  and 
successful  labors,  by  which  have  been  secured  to  us  so 
large  and  flourishing  a  church,  and  so  fine  a  house  in 
which  we  and  our  children  and  our  children's  children 
can  worship  the  living  God ;  and  as  the  official  board  of 
said  church,  we  hereby  present  to  Dr.  Hill  our  sincere 
and  hearty  thanks  for  his  untiring  and  gratuitous  ser- 
vices in  securing  these  highly  outward  results." 

Dr.  Hill  continued  to  serve  the  church  and  Sunday 
school  and  other  work  till  his  death  on  December  26, 
1874. 

The  list  of  pastors  with  the  dates  of  service  follows: 
Asa  Hill,  1858—60. 
Nathaniel  Mead,  1861 — 2. 
Samuel  H.  Smith,  1863 — 5. 
J.  S.  Breckenridge,  1866— 8. 
L  Simmons,  1869—71. 
John  Pegg,  1872 — 3. 
R.  W.  Jones,  1874—6 
C.  S.  Williams,  1877—78. 
C.  S.  Wing,  1879—81. 
W.  H.  Thomas,  1882—84. 
H.  D.  Weston,  1885. 
W.  W.  Clark,  1886—7. 
George  VanAlstyne,  1888 — 92. 
A.  K.  Wyatt,  1893—96. 
F.  A.  Scofield,  1897—8. 
S.  L.  Beiler,  1899. 
H.  A.  Munson,  1900. 

The  list  includes  17  names,  of  whom  6  are 
dead  and  the  rest,  with  the  exception  of  Brother  Smith, 
are  still  in  the  active  work  of  the  ministry. 

Of  the  various  characteristics  of  those  pastorates  it 
is  needless  that  I  should  speak  in  detail.  The  work  of 
the  church  has  moved  along  on  strictly  Methodist  lines, 
true  to  the  genius  of  our  faith.  Revival  after  revival 
has  passed  through  our  church,  and  hundreds  have 
bowed  at  her  altars  in  contrition  for  sin.  Her  growth 
has  been  steady  from  the  little  band  who  initiated  the 
movement  to  the  present  membership  which  is  the  largest 
of  any  Protestant  church  in  the  township.  We  say  this 
not  in  the  spirit  of  boasting,  but  rather  humiliated  by 
the  consciousness  of  how  much  more  might  have  been 
done  and  with  a  clear  vision  of  the  vastness  of  the  work 

TO 


that  lies  still  at  our  hands.  The  record  of  these  years 
if  they  lead  to  congratulation  ought  to  lead  to  consecra- 
tion ;  if  they  show  what  God  hath  wrought  ought  also 
to  show  what  is  of  great  value,  and  that  is  that  our 
church  history  is  not  made,  but  rather  in  the  making 
and  that  we  are  the  inheritors  of  a  church  and  its  prop- 
erty, whose  value  lies  in  the  God  given  work  for  our 
community  that  can  yet  be  exercised  by  the  spirit  and 
controlled  by  the  mind  of  Christ 

Our  ecclesiastical  history  may  not  date  as  far  back- 
on  the  calendar  as  some  of  our  sister  churches.  Let  us 
give  them  honor  for  the  work  they  have  done  and  let 
us  remember  that  the  future  belongs  to  both  them  and 
us  till  we  all  come  in  a  unity  of  faith,  and  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Son  of  God, — and  grow  up  unto  Them,  in 
all  things,  which  is  the  head,  even  Christ. 


71 


GRACE  CHURCH,  NORWALK,  CONN. 


N  the  early  Spring  of  1890  a  petition 
was  presented  to  the  Bishop  and 
Standing  Committee  of  the  diocese  of 
Connecticut  asking  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  new  parish  in  the  town  of 
Norwalk.  This  petition  was  signed  by 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons, 
including  a  number  of  the  prominent 
communicants  of  St.  Paul's  Church. 

The  ground  for  such  action  was  the  sincere  convic- 
tion that  there  was  great  need  of  another  parish  in  the 
central  part  of  the  borough,  and  that  the  time  had  come 
when  "a  daughter"  might,  without  disloyalty  or  injury 
to  the  "mother,"  go  out  and  establish  her  own  house- 
hold. 

On  Sept.  i6th,  the  Standing  Committee,  with  the 
hearty  approval  of  the  bishop,  gave  unanimous  consent 
to  the  formation  of  the  parish,  which  decision  was  based 
on  their  judgment  that  a  separate  organization  would  be 
far  better  than  a  chapel. 

On  September  24th,  Grace  Church  parish  was  legal- 
ly formed,  Messrs.  A.  C.  Golding  and  W.  H.  Smith  were 
elected  wardens ;  Gould  Hoyt,  clerk ;  Levi  Warner,  agent, 
and  Chas.  F.  Osborn,  Robert  Van  Buren,  W.  F.  Bishop, 
T.  S.  Morrison,  G.  W.  Cram  and  Wm.  Lockwood,  ves- 
trymen. To  this  number  were  afterwards  added  Messrs. 
W.  S.  Moody,  Jr.,  C.  W.  Many  and  W.  E.  Montgomery. 

The  Hon.  James  W.  Hyatt  was  made  treasurer,  with 
Mr.  W.  E.  Montgomery  as  his  assistant. 

A  subscription  paper  was  immediately  started,  and 
a  building  committee  appointed.  They  had  plans  pre- 
pared by  Messrs.  Thayer  and  Wallace,  of  Brooklyn,  and 
recommended  that  the  parish  purchase  the  Belden  prop- 
erty on  the  angle  of  Belden  avenue  and  Cross  street. 

This  site  was  finally  chosen,  the  fine  old  house  was 
removed,  and  ground  was  broken  for  the  church  about 
the  tenth  of  November. 

The  work  was  rapidly  pushed  forward  during  the 
winter  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  A.  C.  Golding,  and  the 
building  was  completed  on  April  2oth.  In  the  mean- 
time the  ladies  had  organized  a  guild  and  were  busy  in 
raising  funds  for  the  furniture.  They  gave,  in  all,  to  this 
obiect,  $1,300. 

Ml 


The  church  is,  in  many  respects,  an  ideal  one  for  a 
rural  town.  Its  situation  is  exceptionally  beautiful.  The 
building,  constructed  entirely  of  wood,  is  shingled  from 
peak  of  tower  to  foundation,  with  an  interior  finish  of 
ash  and  southern  pine.  The  ground  plan  is  cruciform, 
89  ft.  long,  and  48  1-2  ft.  wide  across  the  transepts.  The 
nave  is  54x25  ft.  The  choir  (25x12  ft.)  is  outside  of  the 
chancel  arch,  raised  three  steps  above  the  main  floor,  and 
the  sanctuary  (13x10  ft.)  is  formed  by  the  organ  chamber 
and  vestry  room.  An  ambulatory,  now  used  as  choir 
vestry,  extends  across  the  church,  back  of  the  chancel. 
Over  the  intersection  of  nave  and  transepts  the  large 
square  tower  rises  to  the  height  of  45  ft.  affording  light 
and  ventilation  from  twenty  small  windows.  The  bap- 
tistry is  in  the  west  transept  near  the  choir.  The  chan- 
cel furniture  and  stalls  are  of  oak ;  the  pews  of  ash.  The 
altar  stands  as  a  memorial  of  Margaret  and  Amelia  Bel- 
den,  the  former  owners  of  the  parish  property.  The  solid 
silver  communion  service  is  given  in  memory  of  Edwin 
and  Eliza  S.  Hoyt  by  their  children.  Other  special  gifts 
are  the  brass  cross,  vases  and  altar  desk,  the  credence 
table,  the  font,  alms  basins,  hymn  board  and  alms  boxes. 

The  organ  has  two  manuals  and  sixteen  stops.  In 
construction,  quality  of  tone  and  power,  it  is  a  splendid 
and  thoroughly  satisfactory  instrument. 

The  windows  are  of  stained  glass,  in  simple  designs 
and  bright  colors. 

The  approach  is  by  broad  steps  to  an  open  porch 
from  which  three  doors  give  entrance  to  the  nave. 

From  this  brief  description  it  can  be  seen  that,  while 
in  no  sense  pretentious,  the  church  is  complete  in  every 
detail  and  a  model  of  good  taste. 

The  property,  as  it  stands,  is  valued  at  $25,000. 
Current  expenses  are  met  by  voluntary  pledges,  paid  by 
the  envelope  system,  and  pews  are  assigned  without  ref- 
erence to  the  amount  pledged. 

On  February  17,  1891,  the  Rev.  S.  H.  Watkins,  of 
New  Haven,  was  elected  rector,  and  entered  upon  his 
duties  on  April  27.  On  the  evening  of  this  day  the  bish- 
op dedicated  the  church,  and  preached  from  Psalm  xcvi. 
6-9.  A  large  congregation  filled  the  building  to  over- 
flowing. The  music  was  rendered  by  the  vested  choir 
under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Baker,  of  Bridgeport. 
The  Rev.  W.  F.  Watkins,  D.D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Olm 
Hallock,  of  South  Norwalk,  and  the  rector  assisted  in 
the  service. 


The  regular  services  were  begun  on  the  fifth  Sun- 
day the  Sunday-school  was  organized,  with  eight  teach- 
ers and  forty-two  scholars. 

The  parish  starts  with  a  list  of  sixty-two  families, 
eighty-seven  communicants  and  220  individuals — a  very 
satisfactory  "nucleus."  But  these  figures  fail  to  tell  of 
the  enthusiasm  and  zeal  which  give  great  promise  of  the 
steady  growth  and  make  the  outlook  most  encouraging. 
At  the  recent  convention  of  the  diocese  the  parish 
was  admitted  into  union  with  that  body. 

Thus  organized  and  equipped,  the  young  "daugh- 
ter" in  this  old  diocese  and  older  parish  begins  her  labors 
for  Christ  and  His  Church. 

The  old  house  of  post  revolutionary  times  was,  as 
mentioned  above,  moved  back  forty  feet  from  the  rear 
of  the  church  on  Relden  avenue.  It  has  been  thorough- 
ly renovated,  restored  in  olden  style  and  made  over  into 
a  handsome  and  comfortable  rectory. 

In  the  Spring  of  '92  Mr.  N.  Ferris  took  charge  of 
choir  after  Mr.  Baker  left. 

In  the  summer  of  1892  A.  D.  the  Guild  Room  was 
built  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,000. 

Mr.  H.  Hills,  Jr.,  became  organist  and  choir  master 
in  the  Fall  of  1892. 

In  May,  1894,  Miss  Jennie  K.  Nash  succeeded  Mr. 
Hills,  and  was  succeeded  in  turn  by  Mr.  Jas.  F.  Baker  on 
May  ist,  1897. 

Mr.  Thos.  S.  Morison,  Vestryman,  died  on  April 
2ist,  1894. 

The  entire  debt  of  the  Parish  (some  $7,800)  was 
paid  in  September,  1896,  and  the  property  deeded  to  the 
Trustees  of  Donations  and  Bequests  for  Church  pur- 
poses. The  contributors  were  C.  F.  Osborn,  $5,000; 
E.  A.  Woodward,  $1,000;  Robert  and  Louise  Van  Bu- 
ren,  W.  F.  Bishop,  T.  S.  Vanderhoef,  Sophia  Weed,  M. 
C.  Couch,  S.  H.  and  Helen  R.  Watkins,  Goold  Brush, 
L.  N.  Phinney,  Munson  Hoyt,  Wm.  Lockwood,  Rebecca 
Matthews,  E.  K.  Gregory,  Mary  Martin,  A.  R.  Malkin, 
Miss  Emily  Mott,  Miss  Lizzie  Hoyt,  Miss  Fannie  Hoyt, 
Wm.  H.  Smith,  Miss  Florence  Morison,  Levi  Warner, 
Wm.  Butterworth,  Miss  Cornelia  Camp,  Albert  Davis. 

Rev.  S.  H.  Watkins  resigned  the  rectorship  on  Feb- 
ruary 9th,  1897,  and  the  same  took  effect  on  Easter  Day 
April  1 8th. 

Mr.  Chas.  F.  Osborn,  Vestryman,  died  on  February 
25*,  1897. 

74 


Rev.  Johnson  McClure  Bellows  entered  upon  his 
duties,  as  rector,  May  I5th  ,1897. 

Church  consecrated  by  the  Right  Reverend  Chaun- 
cey  Burns  Brewster,  D.D.,  successor  to  the  Rt.  Rev. 
John  Williams,  D.D.,  assisted  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Ethel- 
bert  Talbot,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Central  Pennsylvania, 
Tuesday,  June  the  twentieth,  Eighteen  Hundred  and 
Ninety-nine. 

Parish  house  leased  by  Mrs.  Chas.  F.  Osborn,  Octo- 
ber ist,  1900,  being  the  house,  No.  2,  Belden  Place,  own- 
ed by  Wallace  Dann,  Esq." 

The  total  number  of  families  in  Grace  Parish,  No- 
vember ist,  1901,  was  185  :  total  number  of  persons,  530; 
total  number  of  communicants,  316. 


78 


AT    CHRIST 
CHURCH, 


EPISCOPAL 
WESTPORT 


EV.    George  Weed  Barhydt,    Rector, 
spoke  as  follows: 

In  response  to  the  request  that 
came  to  us  from  the  Committee  on 
Literary  Exercises  for  the  25oth  anni- 
versary of  the  incorporation  of  the 
town  of  Norwalk,  of  which  town  the 
portion  of  Westport  that  lies  on  the 
west  side  oi  the  Saugatuck  and  south  of  the  old  Weston 
line,  was  a  part  for  184  of  the  250  years,  we  have  gladly 
joined  with  the  people  of  that  ancient  town  in  hymns  of 
thanksgiving  and  praise  and  have  with  sincerity  prayed 
that  its  present  and  future  may  be  consonant  with  so 
worthy  a  past.  It  is  wise  and  pregnant  with  helpful  re- 
sults to  lay  hold  of  with  thoughtful  minds  the  reverend 
history  that  comes  down  to  us  as  our  most  precious  herit- 
age. Of  the  town  and  nation  as  of  the  individual,  it  is 
true  that  honorable  and  noble  standards  of  principle  and 
conduct  in  the  generations  that  have  wrought  and  now 
rest  from  their  labors,  give  birth  to  a  noblesse-oblige 
that  is  all-controlling  and  can  be  ignored  only  with  a  loss 
of  prestige  and  a  degradation  that  is  as  sad  as  ruinous. 
The  town  of  Norwalk  has  an  honorable  and  noble  past 
and  we  rejoice  that  the  heritage  is  also  ours  as  the  ances- 
tors of  the  Westport  people  helped  to  win  the  glories  that 
to-day  crown  this  town's  story.  So  we  and  especially 
Christ  Church  Parish  have  a  rightful  part  in  the  rejoic- 
ings and  thanksgivings  of  this  memorable  occasion. 

I  am  requested  to  address  myself  especially  to  a  his- 
tory of  this  church  and  parish  which  begins  chronologi- 
cally with  the  history  of  the  separate  town  of  Westport. 
But  the  men  and  women  who  formed  this  parish  were 
children  of  old  St.  Paul's,  whose  training  was  received 
there  and  in  the  Christian  homes  of  its  parishioners  and 
also  in  the  public  deliberations  of  the  town  and  church 
affairs.  I  think  that  the  general  and  careful,  although 
not  always  calm,  discussion  and  examination  of  the  rea- 
sons for  and  against  any  measure  that  took  place  in  earl- 
ier times  in  town  and  parish  councils  had  a  larger  influ- 
ence than  is  usually  credited  in  the  staunchness  and  in- 
dependence of  character  of  the  sturdy  men  and  women 
who  have  left  us,  both  townwise  and  churchwise,  such 

n 


noble  standards  of  sterling  excellence  of  character  and 
achievement.  I  desire  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  the 
founding  of  our  parish  and  the  first  generation  of  its  life 
were  the  fruit  of  Norwalk  life.  It  came  from  thence  and 
thither  should  go  the  honor  and  praise  in  God's  name 
and  from  thence  comes  the  noblesse-oblige  that  we,  now 
no  longer  of  Norwalk  but  of  Westport,  should  be  true 
to  a  noble  lineage  and  preserve  in  our  day  and  transmit  to 
the  generations  yet  to  come  an  integrity  unyielding,  a  re- 
ligion pure  and  undefiled  and  the  noble  worship  and 
liturgy  of  our  fathers  unimpaired. 

In  the  former  days  it  was  customary  for  many  even 
to  walk  to  and  fro  for  divine  service.  Those  were 
church  going  days  and  distance  proved  no  obstacle.  Is 
it  not  a  subject  for  solicitude  when  we  ponder  on  the 
paucity  of  good  church  people  who  to-day,  eliminating 
the  question  of  a  pedestrial  journey  and  considering 
the  convenience  of  the  trolley,  would  be  found  in  their 
places  each  Lord's  Day  with  the  regularity  that  marked 
the  church  attendance  of  their  hardy,  pioneer  ancestors, 
if  the  distance  of  three  miles  stretched  between  their 
abodes  and  the  House  of  God?  Yet  this  question  of  dis- 
tance determined  the  beginnings  of  the  Church  life  in 
Saugatuck.  As  the  population  increased,  the  question 
of  training  the  increasing  number  of  children  came  up 
for  a  solution.  It  was  a  natural  result  that  the  rector  of 
St.  Paul's,  Dr.  Sherwood,  who  had  organized  the  first 
Sunday  school  in  that  parish,  should  inaugurate  a  simil- 
ar work  in  Saugatuck.  The  interest  and  enthusiasm 
manifested  were  in  inverse  proportion  to  the  size  of  the 
school.  This  led  to  occasional  services  which  with  the 
sessions  of  the  Sunday  school  were  sometimes  held  in 
private  houses  but  mostly  in  Shercrow  school  house  that 
then  stood,  I  am  told,  on  "The  Plain,"  as  it  was  called 
between  the  present  dwellings  of  Mr.  Theodore  Taylor 
and  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Marvin.  A  small  itinerant  parish  and 
Sunday  school  library  was  inaugurated,  housed  in  a 
large  market  basket  and  composed  mostly  of  theological 
books  of  a  controversial  nature.  (Some  of  these  old 
books  are  still  in  the  possession  of  the  parish.) 

Such  was  the  situation  when  the  apostolic  Kemper 
succeeded  to  the  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's  in  1831.  The 
Congregationalists  directly  across  the  river  in  the  town 
of  Fairfield  as  early  as  1831,  began  measures  to  separate 
from  the  Greens  Farms  Society  and  to  organize  "the 
Saugatuck  Congregational  Society  of  Westport,"  which 


77 


was  accomplished  in  May,  1835.  Possibly  the  mission 
services  and  Sunday  school  held  by  the  Rector  of  St. 
Paul's  may  have  been  instrumental  in  this  action  oi  the 
Congregational  brethren.  Certainly  all  such  move- 
ments are  infectious  and  we  find,  following  the  Congre- 
gationalists'  move,  the  record  of  a  meeting  of  Episco- 
palians at  the  house  of  Mr.  William  Nash,  now  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  George  A.  Darrow,  March  nth,  1833,  "to 
take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  building  an  Epis- 
copal House  of  Public  worship  to  be  located  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Saugatuck  river."  As  a  result  of  the 
deliberations  of  this  meeting  "it  was  deemed  necessary 
that  said  house  should  be  built  and  that  a  meeting  be 
holden  at  this  place  on  Monday  the  i8th  of  March  to 
draw  up  a  subscription  for  building  the  church  which 
subscription  to  be  binding  provided  the  sum  of  $2,000 
shall  be  subscribed."  Several  meetings  followed  but 
nothing  much  was  done  until  May  13,  when  at  a  meet- 
ing held  in  the  school  house,  Mr.  Taylor  Hurlbutt  was 
appointed  treasurer  to  receive  the  money  subscribed  and 
Messrs.  Taylor  Hurlbutt,,  Daniel  Nash,  Jabez  Adams, 
Isaac  Adams,  Dennis  Nash,  Edwin  Wheeler,  William 
Nash,  Noah  Nash  and  Philo  W.  Jones  were  elected  a 
building  committee.  The  plan  and  size  of  the  building 
were  left  entirely  to  this  committee.  Of  this  meeting 
Mr.  Taylor  Hurlbutt  was  chairman  and  Mr.  Robert  Ray- 
mond, clerk.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  Mr.  Daniel  Nash 
was  made  trustee  to  sign  all  necessary  papers  for  the  con- 
veyance of  the  land  chosen  whereon  to  build  this  new 
church. 

Most  of  the  history  oi  Christ  church  has  been  so  thor- 
oughly exploited  that  little  has  been  left  to  be  said.  But 
there  is  one  matter  in  which  there  seems  to  be  a  misun- 
derstanding and,  if  so,  a  great  wrong  done  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Taylor  Hurlbutt.  I  have  been  informed  by  the 
Rev.  James  E.  Coley,  grandson  of  Taylor  Hurlbutt,  and 
by  others  who  were  alive  at  the  time  of  the  building 
and  conversant  with  the  affairs  of  the  building  commit 
tee  and  who  should  know  that  the  land  on  which  the 
church  was  built  was  a  free  gift  from  Mr.  Taylor  Hurl 
butt.  That  the  land  was  purchased  by  the  society  has 
several  times  of  late  been  stated  in  print.  One  fact  much 
in  favor  of  the  free  gift  is  that  in  the  minutes  of  the 
various  meetings  there  is  no  discussion  of  a  site  or  pur- 
chase price.  Also  at  the  meeting  on  June  10,  a  deed 
was  presented  and  rejected ;  the  minutes  read  ''as  no  par- 
re 


ticular  time  was  specified  in  the  deed  when  the  trustee, 
Daniel  Nash,  should  quit-claim  the  land  to  the  church"' 
and  that  a  new  deed  be  procured  to  that  effect.     Mr. 
Coley  has  that  rejected  deed  in  his  possession.     It  reads, 
"I,  Taylor  Hurlbutt  of  the  town  of  Norwalk,  etc.,  in 
consideration  of  love,  good  will  and  affection,  I  hold  and 
have  towards  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  to  my 
full  satisfaction,  I  do  freely  give,  grant  and  convey  unto 
Daniel  Nash  of  said  Norwalk  to  hold  in  trust  for  said 
Protestant  Episcopal  church,  a  certain  piece  of  land  ly- 
ing in  Norwalk  situate  on  the  west  side  of  the  Saugatuck 
river,  being  a  piece  of  land  selected  to  build  an  Episcopal 
church  thereon" — etc.     A  new  deed  was  drawn  up,  the 
indenture  made   and  agreed  between  Taylor  Hurlbutt 
and  Daniel  Nash  as  trustee,  June  13,  and  recorded  in 
Nonvalk  in  Book  25,  page  169  on  June  23d.    This  sec- 
ond deed  reads,  "I,  Taylor  Hurlbutt  for  the  considera- 
tion of  four  hundred  dollars  received  do  give,  bargain 
and  convey,  etc."     This  deed  was  accepted  at  a  meeting 
held  June  ijth  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Philo  W.  Jones.     It 
contains,  however,  a  condition  that  if  "within  the  term 
of  two  years  a  House  suitable  for  the  public  worship  of 
God   agreeable  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Faith"  be 
not  built  and  if  "  within  six  months  after  a  society  has 
been  legally  formed  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the 
Protestant   Episcopal   worship  in  said  house  that  said 
Nash,  his  heirs  and  assigns  and  without  any  other  or 
further  consideration  than  what  he  has  already  received 
by  a  proper  and  sufficien't  deed"  do  not  "grant  and  con- 
vey to  such  society"  said  land  the  deed  and  conveyance 
shall  be  void.     If  after  a  lapse  of  over  sixty  years  the  re- 
corded deed  gives  a  wrong  impression  by  placing  the 
value  of  the  land  thus  in  the  deed,  the  facts  should  be 
fully  brought  out  and  clearly  understood  in  order  that 
Taylor  Hurlbutt  should  receive  the  due  credit  for  his 
generosity. 

There  was  an  effort  made  to  increase  the  amount 
already  subscribed  that  the  edifice  might  be  of  stone 
which*  was  unsuccessful.  The  subscribers  were  122  in 
number.  Among  the  larger  subscribers  were: 

Isaac  Adams $     32-°° 

Jabez  Adams   5O-°° 

Matthew  Camp   3°-°° 

Samuel  M.  Coley 35 -°° 

Taylor   Hurlbutt  200.00 

Freelove  Hurlbutt  75-°° 


Philo  W.  Jones   3°-°° 

Jackson   Kemper 50.00 

Daniel  Nash 1,000.00 

Dennish  Nash    125 .00  Cash 

100.00  Labor 

George  Nash   80.00 

Noah  Nash 100.00 

William  Nash  100.00 

Keeler  Nash 50.00 

Charles  Nash  50.00 

Henry  Nash  30.00 

Lewis  Partrick 50.00 

Lewis  Raymond    65 .  oo 

Robert  Raymond 35 .00 

Horace  Staples   30.00 

Edwin  Wheeler  40.00 

Joseph  Wood 45  •  oo 

Among  the  smaller  gifts  is  one  of  $10  from  E.  H. 
Nash,  who  later  became  the  generous  benefactor  that 
made  this  present  commodious  and  beautiful  plant  a 
possibility. 

I  cannot  resist  this  opportunity  to  repeat  the  story 
of  Daniel  Nash's  subscription,  which  I  have  heard  Mr. 
E.  H.  Nash  tell  many  times  with  great  relish,  although 
Mr.  Selleck  has  recorded  it  in  his  book  on  the  centenary 
of  St.  Pauls  Church.  It  appears  that  after  the  first  burst 
of  generosity  that  the  subscriptions  came  with  less 
rapidity.  But  Dr.  Kemper  had  no  idea  that  his  plans 
should  fail.  So  as  Daniel  Nash  warmed  himself  at  the 
stove  in  old  St.  Paul's  one  chilly  Sunday  in  the  latter 
part  of  March,  the  good  Doctor  approached  him,  spoke 
of  the  pressing  need  of  more  money  for  the  Saugatuck 
building  fund  and  said:  "Uncle  Daniel,  if  you  will  double 
your  subscription,  I  will  double  mine."  The  faithful 
churchman  followed  the  lead  of  his  trusted  and  trust- 
worthy pastor,  and  so  it  came  about  that  while  Dr. 
Kemper  gave  $50,  Daniel  Nash  gave  the  munificent 
amount  for  that  time  of  $1,000. 

The  corner  stone  was  laid  May  Qth,  1834,  by  Bishop 
Brownell,  assisted  by  Dr.  Kemper,  and  the  church  con- 
secrated by  the  Bishop  Nov.  2nd,  1835,  in  the  I7th  year 
of  his  consecration.  The  parish  was  legally  organized 
in  October,  1835.  The  church  was  furnished  by  the 
women  of  the  parish  at  a  cost  of  $133.45. 

I  subjoin  a  description  of  the  old  church,  given 
me  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Coley: 


•'The  old  church  was  originally  built  with  doors  to 
the  pews — a  'square  body,'  with  side  pews  and  two 
aisles.  The  pulpit  was  high,  on  a  level  with  the  top  of 
the  gallery,  which  extended  around  three  sides  of  the 
church.  The  pulpit,  reading  desk  and  communion  table, 
all  stood  one  under  the  other  with  a  circu- 
lar chancel  rail  of  mahogany.  The  lamps  on 
the  pulpit  and  desk  were  the  old  'astral,'  and  the 
cushions  on  pulpit  and  desk,  and  cover  to  the  com- 
munion table  (for  it  was  a  veritable  four-legged  table,  of 
mahogany  frame  and  legs)  were  covered  with  crimson 
silk  damask.  The  first  carpet  on  the  church  was  a  light 
felt  with  red  and  green  figures,  which  was  afterwards 
replaced  by  a  more  churchly  pattern  and  style.  The 
vestry  room  was  originally  built  at  the  entrance,  between 
the  two  doors,  but  the  clergyman  generally  changed  his 
robes  in  the  little  closet  under  the  high  pulpit,  which  was 
hardly  large  enough  to  turn  about  in.  At  a  later  period 
the  pulpit  was  changed  and  finally  taken  away  altogether 
and  a  new  vestry  room  added  to  the  rear  of  the  church. 
The  windows  in  this  old  church  were  immense.  They 
consisted  of  three  sashes,  each  containing  thirty-six 
panes  of  glass,  making  one  hundred  and  eight  panes  in 
every  window — five  windows  on  a  side  and  two  on  the 
ends  near  the  chancel." 

Dr.  Kemper  resigned  the  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's, 
and  was  consecrated  Missionary  Bishop  of  Missouri  and 
Indiana  in  September,  1835,  and  till  February  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  Christ  Church  was  supplied  by  the  Rev. 
B.  G.  Noble,  of  Bridgeport.  On  Feb.  6th,  1836,  the 
Rev.  Edward  Ingersoll  was  called  to  be  the  first  rector 
of  the  parish.  In  1836  Mr.  Ingersoll  reported  fifty-eight 
families  and  forty-eight  communicants  and  in  1839,  sixty- 
three  families  and  fifty-seven  communicants.  The  Rev. 
Milliard  Bryant  succeeded  in  1840.  In  1841,  the  Rev. 
J.  H.  Leacock  officiated  till  the  advent  of  the  third  rec- 
tor in  1842,  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Bull.  In  1847,  Mr.  Bull  re- 
ported sixty  families  and  ninety  communicants.  Then 
there  followed  in  the  order  named  to  the  present  incum- 
bent, the  Revs.  W.  H.  Frisbee,  John  Purves,  J.  R.  Wil- 
liams, Thomas  Hyde  and  H.  N.  Wayne.  In  1852,  Mr. 
Frisbee  reported  139  communicants  and  in  1860,  Mr. 
Purves  168. 

At  about  this  time  came  the  dark  and  sad  days  of 
turmoil,  distress  and  separation  in  the  life  of  this  vener- 
able parish,  when  in  discord  bitter,  which  the  older 


people  could  not  forget,  and  which  it  were  better  the 
younger  generation  should  not  know,  Trinity  parish 
came  into  existence.  We  may  well  weep  and  bow  our 
heads  in  conscious  shame  when  dissension  brings  the 
breach  of  friendship  and  ill  will.  But,  thank  God !  oppos- 
ing factions  no  longer  exist  and  the  two  parishes,  as 
brethren  of  one  household,  now  dwell  together  in  unity. 

I  would  there  were  the  time  to  speak  at  length  of 
the  noble  character  and  faithful  rectorship  of  J.  R.  Wil- 
liams. The  present  solidity  of  this  parish  is  due  to  his 
truly  Christian  work  and  influence  from  the  time  of  the 
division  through  twenty-six  years  of  earnest  and  never- 
ceasing  endeavor.  The  foundation  he  laid  could  not 
be  wrecked,  even  by  the  violent  and  overwhelming  tide 
of  trouble  that  made  havoc  in  the  immediately  following 
rectorship.  His  is  the  rest  that  "remaineth  to  the  people 
of  God"  and  ours  the  heritage  of  a  saintly  character  and 
noble  influence. 

In  1884  the  present  new  church  was  built  and  in 
1894  the  new  Rectory.  All  this  was  possible  through 
the  generosity  and  love  for  the  church  and  parish  of  the 
long-time  senior  and  junior  wardens,  Edward  and  An- 
drew Nash.  Since  1884  the  memories  and  associations 
have  clustered  about  this  building  as  once  about  the  old 
church  on  the  hill.  As  we  recall  these  years,  not  yet  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  how  much  of  sadness  as  well  as  of 
joy  comes  to  mind  with  the  vividness  of  recent  events. 
In  these  few  years  our  present  surroundings  have  be- 
come dear  and  blessed  to  us  in  the  strength  and  help  we 
have  found  at  this  altar  and  in  the  round  of  services  for 
the  sorrows  and  struggles  of  life.  Here  we  behold  the 
generous  giving  and  earnest  labor  that  gives,  according 
to  our  opportunity,  the  best  that  life  has,  the  life  lived 
with  Christ  in  God,  to  all  that  need  in  this  great  and 
beautiful,  but  unhappy  world.  Here  is  exemplified  in 
the  grandest  sense  the  truth  that  my  neighbor  is  he 
whom  I  can  help,  be  he  at  my  side  or  at  the  farthest  con- 
fines of  the  earth.  And  as  the  years  multiply,  the  old 
church  on  the  hill  will  become  a  -fading  memory  and  at 
this  altar  will  be  read  with  heart-felt  meaning  and  the 
eye  of  faith,  the  hope  of  all  generations,  "Make  them 
to  be  numbered  with  Thy  saints." 

I  have  been  forced  to  omit,  much  that  I  should  have 
liked  to  have  rehearsed  to  you.  Because  of  the  occasion 
I  have  dwelt  more  at  length  on  the  earlier  history  which 
concerns  the  people  who  were  more  of  Norwalk  than  we 


88 


of  to-day.  Let  us  remember  that  we  owe  a  debt  of  gra- 
titude to  this  ancient  town  for  that  priceless,  divine  pos- 
session, our  church  life,  and  let  us  give,  therefore,  due 
recognition  to  this  honorable  lineage  and  pray  earnestly 
for  our  brethren  of  Norwalk,  and  for  our  church-mother, 
noble  old  St.  Paul's. 

May  God  bless  this  ancient  town  with  prosperity, 
true  religion  and  peace. 


EV.  Kenneth  Mackenzie,  Jr.,  Rector, 
preached  a  memorial  sermon  in  honor 
of  the  day,  in  the  course  of  which  he 
referred  to  the  history  of  the  parish 
recently  published.  To  preserve  the 
historic  features,  the  following  extract 
from  the  pamphlet  is  given  as  printed: 
April  Qth,  1860,  the  declaration 
for  the  formation  of  a  new  parish  in  the  town  of  West- 
port,  Conn.,  was  signed. 

April  1 4th,  1860,  the  first  meeting  was  held. 

April  16,  1860,  Bishop  Brownell  and  Assistant 
Bishop  Williams  gave  their  canonical  consent  to  the  for- 
mation of  the  new  parish ;  and  on  April  2Oth  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  of  the  Diocese  signified  their  approval  of 
the  same. 

April  24th,  1860,  the  Rev.  John  Purves,  A.  M.,  was 
called  to  the  rectorship,  and  on  April  26th  he  accepted 
the  same. 

April  29th,  1860,  the  first  religious  service  was  held. 

May  yth,  1860,  the  committee  for  the  purchase  of 
site  reported,  through  its  chairman,  Mr.  Richard  H. 
Winslow,  that  the  house  and  lot  of  Captain  Edgar  Wake- 
man  had  been  secured.  In  a  historical  sermon  the  Rev. 
A.  N.  Lewis  says  of  this  location: 

"An  ancient  house  stood  at  that  time  just  west  of 
the  large  elm-tree  on  the  church-grounds,  which,  before 
and  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  had  been  an  inn.  It 
was  on  the  high  road  from  Boston  to  New  York,  and 
more  than  once,  it  is  said,  had  the  honor  of  sheltering  the 
illustrious  Washington. 

"On  one  occasion  he  had  put  up  at  the  old  inn  for 
dinner.  Being  very  hungry  he  could  not  wait,  and  was 
engaged  in  toasting  a  piece  of  ham  before  the  open  fire. 
To  a  boy  who  had  strolled  in  to  see  "the  General,"  he 
said:  "This  is  the  way  the  poor  soldiers  have  to  live!" 

"Washington  also  met  General  the  Marquis  de  La 
Fayette,  and  General  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  at  the 
inn,  where  they  passed  the  night." 

June  i5th,  1860,  the  parish  was  admitted  into  union 
with  the  Diocesan  Convention. 


September  iQth,  1860,  the  corner  stone  of  the 
church  edifice  was  laid. 

Before  the  walls  were  up  Mr.  Winslow,  to  whose 
energy  and  enthusiasm  the  young  parish  owed  its  im- 
pulse, passed  away,  February  I4th,  1861.  "His  death, 
however,  did  not  interrupt  his  work,  which,  in  accord- 
ance with  his  wishes  and  instructions,  was  carried  to 
completion  by  his  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  Fitch  Winslow." 
To  this  generous  friend  the  parish  has  ever  been,  and  is, 
unspeakably  indebted  for  continued  benefactions. 

The  church  was  first  opened  for  divine  service  Feb- 
ruary 22d,  1862,  and  on  Friday,  June  3Oth,  1863,  it  was 
consecrated  to  the  worship  of  God,  according  to  the 
order  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 


By  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Jabez  Backus. 
(A  Discourse  Delivered  Sept.  8,  1901.) 

CONGREGATIONALISM  in  Connec- 
ticut is  co-existent  and  co-extensive 
with  the  planting  of  the  different  col- 
onies and  the  founding  of  the  different 
towns.  It  was  the  policy  of  the  early 
settlers  in  New  England  that  each 
town  should  have  an  orthodox  min- 
ister settled  for  life  and  a  church  or- 
ganized under  leave  of  the  general  court  of  the  State. 
The  late  Prof.  Johnson  says  in  his  excellent  study  of  the 
commonwealth,  "Democracy  of  Connecticut":  "It  would 
hardly  be  too  strong  to  say  that  the  establishment  of  the 
town  and  the  church  was  coincident.  The  universal 
agreement  in  religion  made  town  government  and 
church  government  but  the  two  sides  of  the  same  medal, 
and  the  same  person  took  part  in  both."  It  was  not  that 
church  and  state  were  one,  it  was  rather  that  the  people 
were  one  and  of  one  church.  It  was  not  until  1717  that 
the  ecclesiastical  society,  as  distinct  'from  the  town,  was 
organized  and  its  rights  and  powers  defined  by  the  gen- 
eral court.  In  1679  tne  people  who  had  come  from  the 
original  Plymouth  and  Massachusetts  Colonies  and  set- 
tled in  Wethersfield,  Windsor  and  Hartford,  adopted  a 
constitution  which  declares  their  object  in  these  notable 
viords:  "To  maintain  and  preserve  the  liberty  and  purity 
of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  which  we  now 
profess,  as  also  the  discipline  of  the  churches,  which 
according  to  the  truth  of  the  said  gospel  is  now  prac- 
tised amongst  us.''  Under  this  plan  the  settling  of  Con- 
necticut went  forward.  Every  town  had  its  church. 
Fairfield  county  in  1666,  the  date  of  its  organization, 
embraced  but  five  towns.  These  were  Fairfield,  Strat- 
ford, Norwalk,  Stamford  and  Greenwich.  Each  of  these 
early  towns  have  their  ancient  churches,  many  of  which 
have,  or  are  about  celebrating,  their  25oth  anniversary. 
The  only  reason  that  Westport  did  not  have  a  Congrega- 
tional church  a  quarter  of  a  millenium  ago  is,  that  there 
was  no  Westport..  In  the  early  times  we  belonged  to  the 


towns  and  parishes  of    Fairfield    and    Norwalk.     Our 
fathers  and  mothers  trudged  a-foot  or  rode  on  horseback 
nearly  five  miles  to  attend  church.     Fairfield  town  and 
parish  originally  embraced  what  are  now  the  different 
parishes  of  Greenfield  Hill,  called  the  Fairfield    North 
Parish,  Southport,  Greens  Farms  and  Fairfield  North 
West  Parish  or  Norfield,  now  called  Weston.     It  was 
but  natural  that  the  people  settled  in  the  Greens  Farms 
district  and  in  Compo,  Saugatuck    and    Crosshighway 
should  in  time  find  it  burdensome  to  journey  the  long 
distance  that  was  necessary  to  attend  upon  divine  wor- 
ship in  the  mother  church  at  Fairfield.    The  record  tells 
us  that  in  1715  Captain  Thomas  Nash,  who  had  come 
from  New  Haven  and  settled    in   Greens   Farms   some 
years  ago,  got  tired  of  taking  this  journey  each  week, 
and  that  he.  with  six  others,  organized  the  church  in 
Greens  Farms.     This  church  thirty-six  years  ago  cele- 
brated its  i5Oth    anniversary.     It   has    an    exceedingly 
rich  and  interesting  history.     It  is  not  my  purpose  to 
speak  at  length  of  the  parish  bordering  upon  the  west. 
The  church  and  town  of  Norwalk  are  to-day  entering 
upon -their  celebration  of  their  25oth  anniversary.     All 
those  years  "The  Prime  Ancient  Society"  was  minister- 
ing to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  early  settlers  in  that 
locality  as  far  east  as  the  Saugatuck  river.     There  the 
Rev.  Thomas   Hanford,  the  first  pastor,  was  growing 
old.     But  the  people  respected  this  ancient  servant  of 
God,  and  the  town  in  1686  passed  the  following  vote: 
"We  do  desire  Mr.  Hanford  to  proceed  in  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  and  therein  to  continue  in  the  said 
work,  until  the  Lord  by  his  providence  shall  dispose  of 
him  otherwise ;     promising  to  endeavor  to  our  ability 
for   to    give  due  encouragement.''     Meantime,  William 
Lees  did  engage  to  beat  the  drum  and  sweep  the  church 
decently  once  a  week,  and  for  said  services  he  was  to  re- 
ceive for  the  year  the  sum  of  one  pound  and  ten  shill- 
ings.   Stern  tithemen  were  appointed  to  keep  the  youth 
in  order  in  the  meeting  house  on  the  Lord's  Day  and  to 
the  best  of  their  wisdom  to  keep  them  from  uncivil  be- 
havior in  time  of  public  worship.    From  what  has  been 
said,  it  will  be  seen  that  Congregationalism  is  not  young 
in  what  are  now  the  limits  of  our  town.    Churches  were 
early  established  on  each  side  of  the  Saugatuck  River. 
The  town  of  Westport  was  incorporated  in  1835. 
formed  from  the  towns  of  Fairfield,  Norwalk  and  Wes- 
ton.    May  next  our  town  will  be   sixty-six   years   old. 

87 


Long  previous  to  this  date,  while  as  yet  there  was  no 
town  of  Westport,  there  was  a  village  of  considerable 
size,  bearing  the  significant  and  euphonious  name  of 
Saugatuck  (mouth  of  the  river).  Everyone  who  has 
given  the  matter  the  least  particle  of  thought,  deplores 
the  change  of  name  which  took  place  when  the  town 
was  incorporated.  The  new  town  should  have  borne  the 
name  of  the  old  village.  Hall  in  his  history  of  Norwalk 
speaks  feelingly  upon  this  subject:  "Were  I  a  resident  of 
that  town  I  would  never  cease  to  petition  the  Legisla- 
ture until  the  change  of  name  to  the  original  Saugatuck 
was  granted."  The  church  whose  beginning  we  now 
note  has  been  more  loyal  to  tradition  and  the  early  name 
than  has  the  town.  Upon  the  first  page  of  a  book  en- 
titled "Records  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Christ 
in  the  Village  of  Saugatuck"  we  find  the  following  re- 
corded: 

At  different  periods  for    several    successive    years 
prior  to  1832  the  subject  of  organizing  a  church  and  ec- 
clesiastical society  in  this  village  became  one  of  conver- 
sation and  inquiry  among  the  inhabitants  of  this  village, 
then  constituting  a  part  of  the  ecclesiastical  society  of 
Greens  Farms.     After  long  consultation,  it  was  finally 
decided  to  take  measures  and  make  preparations  for  the 
building  of  a  meeting  house.    We  find  that  as  early  as 
1830  there  was  formed  the  Saugatuck  Meeting  House 
Association.     This  association  appointed    a    committee 
consisting  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  B.  Sherwood,  Ebenezer 
Jesup,  Dan  Taylor,  Thomas  F.  Rowland,  Samuel  Avery, 
and  Sullivan  Moulton,  who  should  have  in  charge  the 
important  matter  of  building  a  meeting  house  in  Sauga- 
tuck.   Of  course  the  first  thing  was  to  secure  a  suitable 
site.     True  to  patriarchal  instincts,  was  not  the  ancient 
temple  set  upon  a  hill?     And  in  conformity  with  time- 
honored  custom,  had  not  the  fathers  for  generations  cho- 
sen the  till  tops  as  most  fitting  abodes  for  Zion?    They 
chose  the  lofty  and  commanding  heights  on  which  the 
church  now  stands.     This  plot  of  ground  consisting  in 
part  of  what  was  known  as  the  "Academy  lot,"  Ebenezer 
Jesup  had  purchased  from  Stephen  B.  Hanford  in  1803. 
In  1830  Mr.  Jesup,  together  with  Sherwood  and  Avery, 
other  members  of  the  building  committee,  received  the 
title  of  a  tract  of  land  consisting  of  one  acre  and  twenty- 
nine  rods  adjoining  said    academy    lot  on    three    sides 
thereof,  and  held  said  land  in  trust  for  the  Congregational 
Society  until   1857,  when  a  quit  claim  deed  "was    given 


the  society  by  said  Avery  and  by  the  executor  of  said 
Jesup,  and  by  the  heirs  of  said  Sherwood.  The  story  of 
the  old  academy  for  many  years  at  the  rear  of  the  church 
building,  with  its  upper  rooms,  is  almost  as  historic  as 
that  other  upper  room  at  Jerusalem  long  years  ago.  It 
has  a  peculiar  interest  to  many  still  living.  It  was  de- 
voted to  both  secular  and  sacred  uses.  There  for  forty 
years  Miss  Leavenworth,  of  precious  memory,  taught  the 
youth  of  the  village  not  only  in  things  that  pertain  to 
this  life,  but  also  of  the  things  pertaining  to  Godliness. 
Many  of  the  earlier  meetings  of  the  ecclesiastical  society 
were  held  in  that  room  and  frequently  it  was  the  place 
appointed  for  prayer  and  conference.  After  the  site  had 
been  procured,  the  next  thing  in  order  was  to  raise  funds 
for  the  erection  of  the  meeting  house.  It  is  interesting 
to  run  over  the  names  of  some  of  the  first  givers  to  this 
worthy  enterprise:  Avery,  Allen,  Banks,  Baker,  Brad- 
ley, Burr,  Bennett,  Chapman,  Coley,  Downs,  Grey,  Gor- 
ham,  Hanford,  Jesup,  Jackson,  Keeler,  Morehouse, 
Moulton,  Meeker,  Nash,  Platt.  Rowland,  Raymond, 
Sherwood,  Richards,  Richmond,  Swift,  Scriber,  Staples, 
Taylor,  Thorpe,  Townsend,  Turney,  Wood,  Wright, 
Wheeler,  Wakeman,  Winton.  A  noble  list  of  names  and 
not  so  ancient  but  the  memory  of  them  is  still  fresh  In 
the  minds  of  some  still  living. 

Uriah  Ambler  was  contractor  for  the  building.  The 
specifications  were  most  carefully  and  minutely  drawn 
by  Samuel  B.  Sherwood,  a  lawyer  of  repute.  No  details 
seem  to  be  over-looked.  We  see  evidences  throughout 
the  contract  of  the  clear,  shrewd,  business  mind  of  Squire 
Sherwood,  and  also  the  great  care  and  pains-taking  that 
everything  entering  into  the  structure  should  be  of  the 
best 'material  and  finished  after  the  most  approved  style. 

In  the  elder  days  of  art 
Builders  wrought  with  greatest  care 

Each  minute  and  unseen  part, 
For  the  gods  see  everywhere. 

I  have  been  much  impressed  with  the  earnest  and 
devout  spirit  which  actuated  those  who  first  conceived 
the  idea,  and    undertook   the    work   of   establishing   a 
church  in  this  place.     The  building  committee  in  sub- 
mitting their  final  report  employed  the  following  words 
"Your  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  in  their  judg 
ment  the  house  on  any  calculation  is  worth  its  cost. 

eo 


when  considered  in  its  relation  to  the  moral  influence  it 
may  effect  on  society  and  its  connection  with  the  char- 
acter and  prosperity  of  this  village,  its  value  cannot  be 
estimated.    We  all  know  that  individually  we  can  do  but 
little,  but  by  union  of  heart  and  action  we  can,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  procure  for  ourselves  and  families  those 
blessings  which  result  from  moral  and  religious  institu- 
tions and  which  tend  to   sweeten    all    our    intercourse, 
enrich  the  enjoyments  of  society  and  scatter  in  all  our 
ways  the  charm  of  domestic  life.     "The  meeting  house 
was  completed  and  dedicated,  and  the  church  organized 
June  5,  1832.    The  original  members  numbered  thirty- 
six  and  were  all  dismissed  by  letter  from  the  church  in 
Greens  Farms.    The  following  is  the  list  of  members: 
Eliphalet  Swift,  William  Richards,  William  Bradley  and 
Sarah  his  wife,  Benjamin  Bradley,  Walter  Thorpe  and 
Betsy  his  wife,  Samuel  Wood,  Alithea  Wood,  Caroline 
Wood,  Jesse  B.  Scribner  and  Sally  his  wife,  George  W. 
Comstock,  Charles  Jesup    and    Abby    his   wife,    David 
Richmond  and  Lydia  his  wife,  Eliza  Richmond,    Mary 
Riley,  Eliza  Winton,  Frances  Nash,  Alithea  Andrews, 
Mary  Andrews,  Abby  J.  Swift,  Charlotte  Jesup,  Deborah, 
wife  of  Samuel  B.  Sherwood;  Janice  M.   Brush,  Maria, 
wife  of  John    Q.    Wilson ;    Elizabeth    Bennett,    Samuel 
Jackson  and  Esther  his  wife;    Molly  Bennett  and  Sally 
Platt.    The  above  named  persons,  having  been  dismissed 
for  the  purpose  from  the  church  in  Greens  Farms,  gave 
their  formal  assent  to  articles  of  faith  and  a  covenant 
of  their  adoption,  and  were  formally    constituted    and 
organized  by  council  as  the  Congregational  Church  of 
Christ  in  Saugatuck.     We  can  easily  see  how  it  would 
not  be  altogether  agreeable  to  the  mother  church  to  lose 
at  once,  this  goodly  number  of  communicants  and  pew- 
holders.    It  is  not  so  strange,   when   we   think   of   the 
frailty  of  human  nature,  that  Rev.  Mr.  Davis,  the  next 
Sunday  after  the  exodus,  chose  a  text   which    possibly 
embodied  somewhat  of  resentment.    The    text    was  ist 
John  2:19:  "They  went  out  from  us  because  they  were 
not  of  us ;    for  if  they  had  been  of  us  they  would  have 
continued  with  us;     but  they  went  out  that  they  might 
be  made  manifest  that  they  were  not  all  of  us."    Among 
the  ministers  of  the  council  called  to  assist  in  the  forma- 
tion of  the  new  church  was  Rev.  Samuel  Merwin  of  Wil- 
ton, Joel  Mann  of  Greenwich  and  Edwin  Hall  of  Nor- 
walk.    The  records  state  that  Rev.  Mr.  Benedict  of  Nor- 
walk  and  Rev.  Mr.  Davis  of  Greens  Farms  were  invited 


90 


by  the  letters  missive,  but  did  not  attend  the  meeting. 
The  former  from  ill  health,  the  latter  from  other  reasons. 
In  November  of  the  same  year  Nathaniel  L.  Hill  and 
Maria  his  wife  brought  letters  of  dismission   from   the 
mother  church.     He,  with  William  Richards,  were  ap- 
pointed the  first  deasons  of  the  church,  Nov.  27,  1832. 
To  their  number  were  added  Jesse  B.  Scribner,  Oliver 
Burr  and  Charles  Jesup,  who  constituted  the  first  pru- 
dential committee.     Rev.  C.  A.  Boardman  was  the  first 
pastor  of  the  church.     He  had  supplied  the  pulpit  for 
two  months  or  more,  and  had  rendered  valuable  assist- 
ance in  drafting  a  constitution  and  perfecting  the  organi- 
zation of  the  church,  before  receiving  and  accepting  the 
call  to  settle  as  paster.     He  was  installed  by  a  council 
February  5,   1833.     Judging  from  the  records  and  the 
references  which  one  still  hears,  the  newly  formed  church 
was  very  fortunate  in  the  selection  of  its  pastor.     Mr. 
Boardman  was  a  man  of  rich  spiritual  endowments  as 
well  as  of  good  mental  gifts.    In  1836,  after  three  short 
years  he  resigned  his  pastorate  to  accept  an  appointment 
as  secretary  and  general  agent  of  the  Presbyterian  Edu- 
cational Society.     It  was  with  real  reluctance  that  the 
church  acceded  to  his  request  for  dismission.    We  see 
and  feel  how  precious  were  the  ties  which  bound  the 
pastor  and  people  together,  in  the  tender  words  which 
the  parting  called  forth.     The  church  put  upon  record 
the  following  vote:  "Resolved,  That  it  is  with  feeling  of 
deep  regret  that  we  part  with  our  beloved  pastor.    We 
are  constrained  to  do  so  solely  by  a  sense  of  duty  as 
members  of  the  Church  of  Christ  universal."  Mr.  Board- 
man's  parting  words  were:  "I  am  leaving  a  flock  whose 
uniform  kindness  and  liberality  have  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  my  heart." 

From  the  first  the  society  seemed  to  have  heartily 
concurred  with  the  church,  in  the  call  of  the  minister 
and  in  laboring  for  the  prosperity  of  the^  newly  espoused 
cause.  At  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Ecclesiastical  So- 
ciety, Lewis  Raymond  was  chosen  moderator,  Levi  T. 
Downes  secretary,  and  Samuel  Jackson  treasurer. 
Among  the  other 'items  of  business  at  that  first  meeting 
of  the  Society  it  was  voted:  "That  the  place  for  setting 
up  the  notice's  for  future  meetings  of  the  Society,  be  on 
the  oak  near  the  Northwest  corner  of  the  meeting 
house."  The  old  oak  tree  still  stands  and  does  duty  as 
in  years  long  past.  The  first  parish  committee  consisted 
of  the  well-known  and  highly  respected  gentlemen: 


Ebenezer  Jesup,  Samuel    B.    Sherwood,    Dan    Taylor, 
Samuel  Avery,  and  Sullivan  Moulton.     Proper  regard 
for  the  music  of  the  sanctuary  must  have  early  engaged 
the  attention  of  the  Society's  committee.    The  first  musi- 
cal instrument  was  introduced  in  1836,  when  the  Society 
voted  to  pay  L.  T.  Downs  and  Andrew  Comstock  $25 
for  the  bass  viol    which    they    had   purchased    for    the 
Society.    The  story  is  that  there  was  more  or  less  con- 
sternation among  the  older  inhabitants    at   introducing 
such  profane  instruments  into  the  house  of  God.    At  one 
of  the  early  parish  meetings  it  was  voted  to  sell  the  slips 
at  auction  to  the  highest  bidder.    This  custom  was  con- 
tinued for  many  years.    We  must  see  that  buying  bass 
viols  and  paying  the  minister's    salary  ($700)  required 
funds,  and  the  sale  of  the  slips  seemed  to  have  been  a 
matter  of  prime  importance.    Casting  our  eyes  over  the 
records,  we  find  the  following:     "Voted,  That  the  col- 
lector call  on  those  owing  for  pew  rents  for  the  payment 
of  their  respective  debts.    Voted,  To  sell  the  seats  for 
cash.    Voted,  That  the  slips  in  the  meeting  house  shall 
hereafter  be  rented  for  cash  to  be  paid  down  before  the 
meeting  dissolve."    Let  us  not  say  that  the  former  days 
were  so  much  better  than  these,  at  least  in  the  matter 
of  paying  pew  rents.     "Voted,  That  Thomas  Rowland 
act  as  auctioneer."    In  fact,  we  may  judge  of  the  elo- 
quence and  persuasive  powers  of  the  men  living  in  those 
days  by  the  frequency  with  which  they  were  called  to  per- 
form the  important   function  of  auctioneering  off  the 
slips.    Alva  Gray,  Henry  Platt,  William  H.  Jesup,  Oliver 
Burr,   William   Comstock,   Hezekiah   Nichols,   Thomas 
F.  Rowland,  Ebenezer  Disbrow,  E.  H.  Taylor,  John  N. 
Betts  and  others  served  their  term    in    this    important 
capacity. 

The  ministry  of  Rev.  Henry  Benedict  during  twelve 
years,  from  1840  to  1852,  was  a  fruitful  one.  Previous 
to  his  coming  the  church  had  given  calls  to  Rev.  Joseph 
Foote,  Mr.  Weed  and  Richard  W.  Dickinson,  each  of 
whom  had  supplied  the  pulpit  for  a  longer  or  shorter 
period.  Mr.  Benedict  was  a  man  of  noble  parts,  a  good 
preacher  and  beloved  pastor.  It  was  unfortunate  that 
during  his  long  term  of  service  he  was  never  settled  as 
pastor  and  that  the  records  for  the  time  are  so  meagre. 

During  the  third  year  of  his  ministry  there  was  a 
gracious  revival  and  a  large  ingathering,  twenty-nine 
uniting  with  the  church.  Some  now  living  look  back 
upon  that  date  as  the  vear  of  their  conversion  and  con- 


fession  of  their  faith  in  Christ.  Rev.  Joseph  D.  Strong 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  April  12,  1853.  He 
resigned  to  accept  a  call  extended  by  a  church  in  the 
Sandwich  Islands.  The  dismissing  council  put  upon  rec- 
ord this  resolution:  "In  parting  with  Brother  Strong, 
we  can  most  cordially  recommend  him  to  his  church  over 
which  he  has  been  called  to  settle,  as  an  able  and  faithful 
minister  of  the  gospel.  We  likewise  and  most  heartily 
sympathize  with  the  church  in  this  place  in  the  loss  of 
their  beloved  pastor.  There  is  evidence  of  commendable 
promptness  and  unanimity  on  the  part  of  the  church 
and  society  in  extending  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Timothy 
Atkinson,  who  was  settled  as  the  fourth  pastor  of  the 
church  in  1856.  His  ministry  of  eight  years  was  in  many 
ways  distinguished.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  scholarship 
and  of  marked  piety.  Coincident  with  his  coming  there 
was  awakened  new  spiritual  life  in  the  church  and  a 
revival  followed.  He  was  indefatigable  in  labors.  Under 
his  inspiration  the  meeting  house  was  enlarged.  We 
find  the  following  minute,  under  date  of  April  7th,  1857: 
"Voted,  That  Jonas  H.  Phelps,  John  N.  Betts,  Elnathan 
Wheeler,  Gershom  B.  Bradley  and  Morris  Ketchum  be 
appointed  a  committee  to  enlarge  this  house  by  carrying 
the  pulpit  back  as  by  plan  represented."  Under  Mr. 
Atkinson's  ministry,  the  Sunday  School  took  on  new 
form  and  manifested  new  life.  It  was  re-organized  in 
1860,  at  which  time  John  N.  Betts  was  chosen  superin- 
tendent, Elnathan  Wheeler  secretary  and  treasurer, 
George  C.  Lees  assistant  superintendent,  F.  W.  Jesup 
and  Edward  Richards  librarians,  Messrs.  Winton,  Coley, 
Burr,  Miss  Emma  Jesup  and  Mary  F.  Atkinson  were 
appointed  a  library  committee.  It  may  be  stated  in  this 
connection  that  Air.  Betts  during  his  term  of  service  as 
superintendent  for  twenty-five  years,  was  absent  but 
seven  Sundays  during  that  time,  and  then  not  because 
of  illness  or  disinclination,  but  to  attend  and  assist  at 
funerals  of  kindred  or  friends.  This  is  almost  an 
unparalelled  record  of  fidelity  and  immunity  from  phy- 
sical ills.  The  closing  years  of  Mr.  Atkinson's  service 
here  were  during  the  disturbed  and  distressing  times  of 
the  rebellion.  He  took  strong  anti-slavery  grounds.  In 
this  his  church  very  generally  stood  by  him.  He 
preached  patriotic  sermons.  One  was  printed  and  had 
wide  circulation  in  pamphlet  form.  He  helped  the 
young  men,  a  goodly  number  of  whom  went  forth  to  the 
war  from  this  church.  His  wife's  failing  health  compelled 


him,  in  1864,  to  resign  his  charge  and  seek,  for  her  sake, 
a  more  favorable  climate.  Sound  in  theology,  spiritually 
minded,  strong  intellectually,  of  fine  literary  tastes,  he 
commanded  the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 

Rev.  A.  J.  Hettrick,  the  fifth  pastor,  was  installed 
on  September  I4th,  1865.    He  came  a  young  man,  fresh 
from  his  theological  studies,  and  full  of  zeal  for  the  work. 
The  installation  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Roswell 
D.  Hitchcock,  D.  D.,  afterward  president  of  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary.     Mr.  Hettrick  had  been  trained  in  a 
Presbyterian  Seminary  and  licensed    to    preach  by  the 
Presbytery  of  New  York.    But  he  was  settled  by  a  Con- 
gregational Council  and  as  a  pastor  of  a  Congregational 
church.     I  find  about  this  time  inserted  in  the  records, 
whether  facetiously  or  with  serious  intent  I  know  not; 
certain  action  was  taken  by  the  Saugatuck  Presbyterian 
Church.    With  its  variety  of  names,  it  is  the  only  time 
that  the  church  is  called  Presbyterian.    This  church  has 
been  always  Congregational  in  its  policy,  declaring  both 
its  autonomy  and  its  fellowship  with  the  churches  of  like 
faith  and  order.    Mr.  Hetlrick  came  not  only  as  a  young 
man  full  of  enthusiasm  for  the  work,  but  at  a  most  op- 
portune time.     The  war  was  over.     The  men  that  had 
survived  had  come  home.    The  times  were  good.    The 
Union  had  been  preserved.    Right  had  triumphed.    Peo- 
ple were  thankful.     Churches  were  prosperous.     I  am 
struck  with  the  list  of  young  men  and  women,  as  well 
as  those  of  middle  age,  who  were  ready  and  waiting  for 
some  one  to  gather  them  into   the   church.    Many  who 
are  to-day  the  staunch  supporters  of  the  church  came 
into  it  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hettrick.    At  this  time 
the  church  building  was  enlarged,  a  room  had  been  fitted 
up  in  the  basement  for  the  uses  of  the  Sunday  School. 
These  quarters  had  never  been  satisfactory.    They  were 
contracted,  dark  and  damp.    In  November,  1865,  the  fol- 
lowing was  voted  by  the  society:  (i)  That  we  gratefully 
accept  the  sum  of  money  which  has  been  raised  by  the 
ladies  and  friends  of  the  Sunday  School  (a  thousand  dol- 
lars, with  the  promise   of   an-  additional    sum),  and  (2) 
Voted,  That  H.  R.  Treadwell,  M.  L.  Mason,  John  N. 
Betts,  H.  M.  Coley,  A.  J.  Hettrick,  A.  L.  Winton  and 
E.  W.  Taylor  be,  and  are  hereby  appointed,  a  committee 
to  erect  a  new  room  according  to    the    plan    proposed. 
That  plan  resulted  in  the  commodious  Sunday  School 
and  lecture  room  adjoining  the  rear  of  the  church.     It 
has  proven  in  every  respect  satisfactory  and  useful.    In 

M 


his  letter  of  resignation  in  1883,  Mr.  Hettrick  says:  "I 
thank  you,  beloved  friends,  for  all  the  varied  kindness 
I  have  received  at  your  hands."  The  dismissing  council 
put  upon  the  record  the  following  minute:  "In  dismiss- 
ing Brother  Hettrick  we  would  cordially  commend  him 
to  the  churches  as  an  able  and  faithful  minister,  whose 
pastorate  of  nearly  seven  years  has  been  abundantly 
blessed." 

The  church  records  during  the  five  years'  ministry 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanderson  are  very  scanty.  His  labors 
began  in  1873.  Possibly  the  church  assumed  too  great 
a  burden  in  guaranteeing  a  salary  of  $2,000  when  it  had 
paid  in  the  past  not  more  than  $1,200.  It  was  said  of 
OUT  early  ancestors: 

They  reverence  their  priest,  but  disagreeing 
In  price  or  creed,  dismiss  him  without  fear. 

There  is  something  of  the  ancestral  spirit  still  alive 
in  the  churches  of  our  order.     Dr.  Sanderson   has   for 
some  years  past  been  the  able  and  successful  editor  of  the 
Pulpit  Treasury   and   Evangelical  Monthly  of  Religious 
Thought.     For  the  two  years  following  Dr.  Sanderson's 
dismissal  the  pulpit  was  supplied  a  portion  of  the  time 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Hammond.    June  4th,  1879,    the    church 
extended  a  call  to  the  Rev.  B.  F.  Bradford  of  Darien. 
This  call  was  declined.     During    this    year    important 
changes  and  improvements  were  made  in  the  interior 
of  the  church  building.     The  pulpit  platform  was  built 
forward  and  the  organ  moved  from  its  lofty  perch  in  the 
rear  gallery  to  the  recess  back  of  the  pulpit.    Rev.  Wil- 
liam Hart  was  acting  pastor  during  the  years  1880  to 
1881.    January  ist,  1883,  there  began  a  pastorate  which 
is  fondly  cherished  in  the  memory  of  all,  and  which  was 
most  productive  of  blessed  results.    Rev.  John  E.  Tuttle 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Church  May 
22,  1883.    He  came  to  the  church  a  young  man  with  a 
mind  richly  furnished  and    with    a    heart    aglow  with 
Christian  zeal.     From  the  beginning  of  his  labors  here, 
he  revealed  himself  to  the  church  and  community  as  a 
man    thoroughly    consecrated    to    his    work.      Earnest 
prayers  and  'efforts  prepared  the  way  for  a  remarkable 
revival  in  1887,  when  at  a  single  communion  service  in 
May  forty  communicants  were  received  into  the  church 
en  confes'sion  of  their  faith.    This  is  the  largest  number 
ever  united  with  the  church  at  one  time.     How  many 


remember  that  day,  and  I  trust  will  remember  it  with  joy 
as  long  as  they  live !  At  the  end  of  five  years  Mr.  Tuttle 
resigned  his  pastorate  in  the  midst  of  his  popularity  and 
usefulness  to  accept  an  urgent  call  to  a  larger  field  in 
Jamaica  Plain,  Mass..  Mr.  Tuttle  was  the  first  pastor 
to  occupy  the  Ebenezer  Jesup  homestead  as  a  parsonage. 
Mr.  Morris  K.  Jesup,  a  native  of  this  village  and  whose 
honored  ancestors  were  largely  instrumental  in  forming 
the  church,  purchased  and  deeded  this  valuable  property 
to  the  Society  in  1884.  His  thoughtful  and  generous 
gift  has  been  appreciated  by  the  parish  and  certainly 
most  of  all  by  those  who  have  been  privileged  to  occupy 
the  pleasant  and  commodious  building. 

It  would  be  unbecoming  for  the  writer  of  this  sketch 
to  make  minute  references  to  the  successes  or  failures 
in  the  present  pastorate.  It  began  more  than  twelve 
years  ago,  and  has  exceeded  in  length  any  that  have  pre- 
ceded it.  It  began  under  favorable  auspices,  which 
seemed  to  have  been  continuous.  There  have 
been  seasons  of  gracious,  spiritual  quickening,  al- 
though no  marked  revival,  in  which  great  num- 
bers have  been  brought  into  the  church.  No 
year  has  passed  without  accessions  to  our  member- 
ship, and  during  the  twelve  years  one  hundred  and  fif- 
teen in  all  have  joined  the  church  by  letter  and  confes- 
sion. Meantime  the  same  fact  must  be  noted  that  death 
and  other  causes  have  removed  about  an  equal  number. 
Ours  is  now  the  problem  of  the  country  church  in  a  com- 
munity where  the  character  of  the  population  has  greatly 
changed  during  the  last  decade.  The  old  New  England 
and  Protestant  element  is  being  supplanted  by  foreigners 
of  different  faith  or  no  faith.  Our  work  has  not  been 
confined  to  this  community  alone,  and  on  an  average 
the  church  has  given  over  $400  each  year  for  the  sup- 
port of  missions  in  our  own  and  foreign  lands.  In  the 
care  and  provision  for  our  church  home  there  has  been 
a  commendable  interest  and  pride.  Three  years  ago  the 
interior  of  the  building  was  thoroughly  renovated  and 
redecorated  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $2,000.  This  year  it  has 
been  newly  painted,  greatly  improving  its  outward 
appearance.  In  1894  a  new  organ  was  purchased  at  a 
cost  of  $1,800.  Electric  lighting  was  introduced  about 
the  time  that  it  was  brought  to  the  town.  These  addi- 
tional expenses  from  time  to  time  have  been  cheerfully 
and  courageously  met  and  we  are  free  from  the  burden 
of  debt.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  two  of  the  original 


members  left  in  their  wills  bequests  in  aid  of  the  church. 
These  were  Thomas  F.  Rowland  and  Charlotte  Jesup. 
Mr.  Richard  Stephenson  also,  though  never  a  member 
of  the  church,  was  interested  in  her  welfare,  as  evidenced 
by  a  parting  gift  to  help  forward  the  work.  One  of  our 
members  still  living,  Miss  Eliza  Gorham,  has  generously 
given  $1,000  as  a  fund  to  aid  in  defraying  its  annual 
expenses.  I  mention  the  above  gracious  deeds  as  not 
only  worthy  of  note,  but  of  imitation,  by  such  as  would 
thus  seek  to  perpetuate  their  good  works  through  all  the 
coming  years.  I  think  more  of  the  noble  self-sacrificing 
men  and  women  who  wrought  in  laying  the  foundation 
and  carrying  forward  the  work  of  this  church  since  be- 
coming more  familiar  with  their  history.  I  think  more 
of  the  possibilities  and  responsibilities  which  rest  upon 
us  who  are  living  in  these  days  of  light  and  wondrous 
privilege  to  make  history  during  the  days  of  our  steward- 
ship that  shall  be  worthy  of  record  and  reciting  in  the 
years  to  come.  Our  church  stands  with  her  white 
steeple  pointing  heavenward  as  an  inspiration  and  a 
warning.  She  would  warn  us  against  sin  and  worldli- 
ness.  She  would  inspire  us  to  nobler  living  and  to  emu- 
late that  which  was  truest  and  best  in  our  Christian 
ancestors,  and  to  cherish  more  dearly  our  Christian 
heritage. 


SECOND    DAY,    SEPTEMBER    TENTH 

HIS  morning  was  set  apart  for  the 
exercises  in  the  various  public 
schools  of  the  town  and  was  gener- 
ally observed.  The  afternoon  at  the 
armory  was  also  devoted  to  a  gather- 
ing of  the  school  children  for  a  general 
reception  and  historical  addresses.  The 
evening  was  set  apart  for  historical 
tableaux. 

The  morning  hours  in  the  schools  were  made  inter- 
esting by  a  series  of  addresses  on  historical  subjects.  We 
are  obliged  to  be  content  with  a  summary: 

FRANKLIN  SCHOOL. 

The  exercises  in  this  school  were  attended  by  the 
high  school  pupils  as  well  as  those  of  the  school  itself. 
The  two  speakers  were  School  Committeeman  A.  Blan- 
chard  and  Rev.  Charles  M.  Selleck.  The  songs  by  the 
pupils  were  Adams's  "Holy  City,"  Sousa's  "Stars  and 
Stripes  Forever,"  and  "Columbia,  the  Gem  of  the 
Ocean." 

Mr.  Blanchard  first  spoke  of  the  two  schools  in  the 
district,  the  Old  Well,  which  was  located  near  the  pre- 
sent Congregational  Church,  and  the  Flax  Hill  school 
on  the  site  of  the  watering  trough  at  the  juncture  of  West 
and  Lowe  streets.  Mr.  Blanchard  said  that  in  1853  tne 
two  districts  presented  a  petition  to  the  school  society  of 
the  town,  asking  that  they  be  made  one  district.  This 
was  done,  and  the  district  was  accordingly  called  the 
Union  School  District.  The  officers  elected  were  Mat- 
thew Wilcox,  clerk ;  Burr  Nash,  Willis  Craw  and  Eben 
Hill,  committee;  William  H.  Benedict,  treasurer,  and 
Daniel  Benedict,  collector. 

At  the  start  the  Old  Well  school  was  sold  for  $350 
and  an  acre  of  land  bought  for  $1,075.  The  district  was 
incorporated  by  the  Legislature  in  1855.  The  children 
at  this  time  all  had  to  pay  tuition  to  the  district.  In 
cases  where  it  was  impossible  the  town  paid  it.  The 
rates  varied  in  the  different  grades  and  at  different  times. 
It  was  from  $  .90  in  the  primary  to  $5  in  the  high  school 
every  twelve  months.  This  custom  was  later  abolished 
by  the  Legislature. 


Matthew  Wilcox  was  finally  succeeded  as  clerk  by 
William  Henry  Benedict,  who  also  served  long  and 
faithfully.  In  1860  the  principal  got  $800  and  the  four 
assistants  together  $1,400.  In  1864  $1,150  was  collected 
from  the  pupils.  On  June  23,  1870,  after  much  discus- 
sion, it  was  voted  to  build  the  Concord  street  school. 
The  building  cost  $9,895.86.  There  were  758  pupils  in 
the  district  at  this  time.  Two  years  later  the  matter  of 
enlarging  the  Franklin  street  school  was  agitated.  At 
this  time  it  might  be  mentioned  that  one  janitor  got  $210 
and  the  other  $150  per  year. 

At  a  meeting  held  May  12,  1873,  on  motion  of  John 
D.  Bouton,  it  was  voted  to  sell  the  old  Union  school 
house  at  public  auction  and  to  build  a  new  one  at  a  cost 
not  to  exceed  $35,000.  This  was  rescinded  at  the  next 
meeting  and  the  old  school  was  entirely  remodeled  at  a 
cost  of  $17,715.  In  1873  the  district  was  enlarged  by  the 
taking  in  of  Graniteville.  Next  came  the  enlargement 
of  the  Concord  street  building,  which  cost  $12,000  and 
then  the  enlargement  and  improvement  of  the  Union 
school,  which  cost  $35,000. 

At  present  there  are  thirty-five  teachers  employed 
in  the  district  and  an  enumeration  of  1,666  pupils.  The 
yearly  expense  of  the  district  is  $20,000. 

Rev.  Mr.  Selleck  was  then  introduced.  All  were 
eager  to  hear  what  he  would  have  to  say,  and  when  he 
arose  to  deliver  his  address  a  pin  could  have  been  heard 
to  fall  anywhere  in  the  room.  He  said  that  he  felt  proud 
to  be  able  to  be  before  them  to-day,  and  first  he  wished 
to  say  that  he  listened  with  deep  interest  to  the  discourse 
concerning  the  stations  of  this  school  district.  "Norwalk 
is  passing  through  great  days,"  said  he.  "This  is  a 
great  celebration,  and  I  do  not  believe  that  our  people 
really  appreciate  it.  We  are  now  celebrating  our  ances- 
tors, so  to  speak.  That  might  sound  like  Chinese,  but  I 
consider  that  it  is  a  very  important  lesson.  I  find  that 
a  person  who  is  not  proud  of  his  ancestry  has  no  ancestry 
to  be  proud  of.  Norwalk  has  a  proud  ancestry." 

Here  the  speaker  drifted  to  the  first  school  in  the 
town,  and  the  foundress  of  the  first  school,  who  came 
to  East  Norwalk  and  drilled  the  children  in  what  they 
then  called  the  keeping  room,  or  what  we  would  call 
now  the  parlor.  That  is  how  the  first  school  was  started, 
the  same  as  the  first  town  clerk's  office,  in  the  parlor  of 
Thomas  Fitch's  house.  He  told  about  this  foundress 
lying  in  the  East  Norwalk  cemetery,  and  how  her  teach- 


ings  have  come  down  to  this  day,  and  what  effect  her 
early  training  had  upon  the  children  of  to-day,  even. 
Mr.  Selleck  then  told  of  the  first  teaching  he  did  in  Nor- 
walk.  After  teaching  a  little  while  he  went  to  Troy,  and 
there  opened  a  private  school.  He  told  about  one  day 
a  knock  was  heard  on  his  school  door  and  when  he 
opened  it,  there  stood  a  very  distinguished  looking  lady. 
It  proved  to  be  Madame  Ella  Willard,  who  glanced 
around  the  room  and  then  stated  that  there  was  one  thing 
lacking,  and  that  was  "Temple  of  Time."  Here  Mr.  Sel- 
leck described  minutely  what  that  temple  of  time  was, 
and  wished  that  the  schools  of  to-day  could  have  them. 
There  was  a  picture  of  a  large  temple,  and  in  it  were  the 
names  of  all  the  distinguished  men  from  Adam  down  to 
the  present.  He  said  that  it  was  an  education  in  itself 
to  look  at  the  temple  and  study  what  was  in  it. 

OVER  RIVER  SCHOOL. 

The  pupils  of  the  Over  River  School  assembled  at 
9  o'clock  in  the  High  school  room.  The  exercises 
opened  with  singingof  "Hail  Columbia"  by  a  chorus  of 
voices.  Hon.  E.  J.  Hill  addressed  the  school  in  his  most 
inspiring  manner,  and  held  his  young  audience  spell- 
bound. He  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  children 
the  great  advantages  they  had  inherited  by  being  born 
in  New  England,  the  best  part  of  our  noble  land.  He 
illustrated  his  lessons  by  telling  and  showing  what  he 
had  seen  and  heard  in  the  foreign  lands  from  which  he 
has  just  returned  with  heartfelt  thankfulness  that  he 
was  an  American  citizen.  Such  a  lesson  so  delivered 
will  do  more  to  inspire  a  feeling  of  citizenship  in  young 
minds  than  many  a  lesson  taken  from  books.  In  closing 
Mr.  Hill  urged  the  children  not  to  forget  in  the  midst 
of  their  rejoicing,  to  offer  up  a  sincere  prayer  that  our 
noble  President  may,  by  the  grace  of  God,  be  spared 
to  his  people.  The  school  then  sang  "The  Star-Spangled 
Banner,"  after  which  Lieutenant-Governor  Keeler  ad- 
dressed them,  telling  the  advantages  the  pupils  have  to- 
day in  contrast  to  those  of  even  fifty  years  ago.  He  also 
gave  a  brief  forecast  of  the  possibilities  of  the  future. 
The  lesson  he  drew  was  that  of  the  boy  who  would  suc- 
ceed in  any  sphere  of  life  must  work  faithfully  and  dili- 
gently. Rev.  Alexander  Hamilton,  who  was  also  pre- 
sent and  spoke  to  the  pupils  in  a  few  words  told  of  the 
heroism  of  their  forefathers  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

100 


His  personal  reminiscences  were  very  interesting,  and 
from  them  the  pupils  were  led  to  feel  that  an  honest,  true 
and  faithful  life  would  win  the  favor  of  God  and  their  fel- 
low-men. The  principal,  Mr.  Wigham,  then  gave  a  brief 
outline  of  the  history  of  the  Over  River  School  district, 
with  which  he  has  been  so  closely  associated  for  so  many 
years.  The  exercises  closed  by  the  pupils  singing 
"America." 

MIDDLE  FIVE  MILE  RIVER  SCHOOL. 

This  little  school  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  town. 
It  occupies  a  modern  building  on  the  continuation  of 
West  street,  near  the  intersection  of  the  road  from  New 
Canaan  to  Rowayton  Landing.  There  are  nearly  sixty 
pupils  regularly  attending  the  school.  Miss  Carrie  St. 
John  is  the  principal  and  Miss  Bishop  assistant.  The 
building  was  tastefully  decorated  and  after  the  singing 
of  patriotic  songs  an  address  was  delivered  by  Mr. 
Samuel  Richards  Weed,  who  began  by  recalling  the 
appearance  of  the  school  in  its  old  building  in  1847,  at 
which  time  he  was  one  of  its  pupils.  He  briefly  recounted 
the  early  history  of  the  settlement  of  Norwalk  and  called 
attention  to  the  fact  that  the  old  histories  and  geogra- 
phies used  to  lay  great  stress  upon  the  fact  that  when 
William  Penn,  the  Quaker,  settled  in  Philadelphia  he 
made  a  treaty  with  the  Indians  and  paid  them  for  the 
land.  This  was  in  1674,  while  the  site  of  Norwalk  was 
purchased  by  Roger  Ludlow  from  the  Indians  in  1640, 
a  few  years  before  William  Penn  was  born,  and  a  little 
later  Captain  Partrick  bought  from  the  Indians  the  land 
on  the  west  of  the  river,  including  the  very  land  upon 
which  this  school-house  now  stands.  He  commended 
their  honorable  example  to  the  children.  The  exercise's 
concluded  with  patriotic  songs. 

EAST  NORWALK  SCHOOL. 

The  following  address  on  "Earliest  Norwalk"  was 
given  by  Miss  Angeline  Scott,  this  morning,  at  the  anni- 
versary exercises  of  the  East  Norwalk  school,  in  the  East 
Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal  Church: 

Connecticut  was  a  beautiful  wilderness  260  years 
ago  when  the  first  white  settlements  were  planted,  Wind- 
sor, Hartford.  Wethersfield,  fifteen  years  before  the 
founding  of  Norwalk.  The  forest  stretched  eastward, 

101 


westward,  southward,  over  all  the  hills  and  valleys,  with 
bears  and  deer  and  birds  within  its  shadows.  The  unpol- 
luted waters  of  the  rivers  and  the  Sound  were  full  of  fish 
and  shellfish  covered  the  seashore.  Dusky  human  fig- 
ures clad  in  doe  skin  and  decked  with  beads  and  feathers 
flitted  in  noiseless  mocassins  through  the  forests  or 
floated  down  the  streams  in  birch-bark  canoes.  Hunger 
was  the  Indian's  only  spur  to  activity,  his  mind  was 
alert  to  the  possibility  of  lurking  foes  and  his  powers 
of  observation  were  trained  to  serve  him  as  hunter  or 
warrior.  Bountiful  as  the  land  was,  not  more  than  2,000 
Indians  dwelt  in  all  Connecticut  at  the  time  of  which  we 
speak,  and  only  about  300  Indians  lived  in  the  Norwalk 
purchased  by  Ludlow  and  Partrick. 

These  were  scattered  remnants  of  tribes,  as  the  relics 
of  the  Old  Field  near  the  almshouse  testify,  being  of 
diverse  kinds,  and  the  modes  of  burial  in  the  graves  dis- 
covered are  different.  Evidently  hungry  Indians  had 
come  to  Norwalk  as  wanderers  from  their  original 
country.  There  was  a  village  of  a  clan  of  Mohegans 
at  Belden's  or  Wilson's  Point,  however,  one  of  the  inde- 
pendent villages  which  Bancroft  tells  us  were  scattered 
between  the  Hudson  and  Connecticut  rivers.  It  was 
then  called  Naramake,  after  a  great  chieftain,  and  Nor- 
walk is  a  name  derived  from  the  same  root-word,  instead 
of  being  a  punning  contraction  of  Northwalk,  which  is 
a  general  impression.  The  late  William  S.  Bouton,  a 
local  antiquarian,  distinctly  traced  the  site  of  this  village 
twenty  years  ago,  near  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Bur- 
chard.  Nearbv  was  a  feasting  ground  marked  by  a 
deposit  two  feet  deep  of  shells  and  animals'  bones  whore 
the  Indians  used  to  have  what  we  call  Rhode  Island 
clambakes.  Naramake  was  the  home  of  Mahackemo 
and  the  others  who  signed  the  deeds  which  Roger  Lud- 
low and  Daniel  Partrick  secured  from  the  Indians. 

On  the  hill  over  which  the  Tramway  now  runs,  near 
Witch  Lane,  were  defensive  settlements  from  which  a 
watch  might  be  kept  of  the  islands  and  the  Sound.  Be- 
low the  hill  runs  the  brook  Pampaskeshanke,  named  in 
two  of  the  Indian  deeds  as  a  boundary ;  we  call  it  Roton 
Brook.  It  rises  far  back  on  the  hills  and  flows  in  a  gen- 
eral southerly  direction,  emptying  into  Wilson's  Cove ; 
this  brook  is  the  western  boundary  of  the  City  of  South 
Nonvalk  where  it  crosses  the  highway  near  the  residence 
of  Dr.  Burke.  Roger  Ludlow's  tract  of  land  purchased 
in  1640  lay  between  the  Norwalk  and  Saugatuck  rivers 

102 


a  day's  walk  up  into  the  country  from  the  sea,  for  which 
he  paid  50  pounds  judiciously  invested  in  the  following 
highly  desirable  articles:  (^Deforest  177)  Eight  fathoms  of 
wampum,  6  coats,  10  hatchets,  10  hoes,  10  knives,  10 
scissors,  10  jewsharps,  10  fathoms  of  tobacco,  3  kettles 
of  six  hands  about,  and  10  looking  glasses. 

A  few  months  later  Captain  Daniel  Partrick  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  west  of  the  Norwalk  river  from  the 
same  sachem,  Mahackemo,,  its  western  boundary  being 
the  brook  Pampaskeshanke.  In  1650,  a  company  of 
planters  headed  by  Nathaniel  Eli  and  Richard  Olsmtead 
entered  into  a  conditional  agreement  with  Roger  Lud- 
low  as  to  the  transfer  of  his  Norwalk  land  to  them.  The 
final  assignment  to  the  settlers  of  Norwalk  was  made 
by  Ludlow  four  years  later.  In  July,  1650,  the  same 
company  added  the  Partrick  tract  to  the  Ludlow  pur- 
chase and  further  enlarged  the  bounds  of  the  new  set- 
tlement by  the  addition  of  the  Indian  lands  known  as 
Runckinheage  or  Rooaton,  west  of  the  Pampaskeshanke, 
and  known  to  us  to-day  as  Rowayton.  This  deed  also 
included  the  Norwalk  Islands;  it  dated  1651. 

Since  the  Ludlow  agreement  required  the  settle- 
ment of  the  land  before  the  next  Spring  after  the  sign- 
ing of  the  papers,  it  is  altogether  probable  that  some 
of  the  men  came  to  Norwalk  immediately  and  began  a 
clearing  in  the  forest  for  the  little  colony  of  not  less  than 
thirty  families,  who  came  very  early  in  the  Spring  of 
1651.  The  emigrants  from  Hartford  entered  Norwalk 
by  way  of  what  is  now  France  street  and  encamped  at 
the  Rocks  one  night,  arriving  next  day  at  their  destina- 
tion, the  place  marked  by  the  Founders'  Stone  in  East 
avenue.  It  is  hard  to  believe  that  wheeled  vehicles  were 
not  used  in  Connecticut  until  the  middle  of  the  i8th  cen- 
tury, so  that  all  the  goods  our  forefathers  brought  to  *he 
first  Norwalk  must  have  come  on  the  backs  of  their 
horses  and  oxen. 

The  black  house  which  sheltered  the  company  till 
their  log  and  shingle  houses  were  built,  stood  in  the  rear 
of  Mr.  H.  M.  Prowitt's  residence.  Nearby,  in  1659,  the 
first  meeting  house  was  built  by  Walter  Haite  and  Ralph 
Keeler,  and  covered  with  "2,000  good  and  sufficient 
shingles  furnished  by  Matthew  Marvin.  The  meeting 
house  was  used  for  town  meetings  as  well  as  religious 
services ;  and.  in  front  of  it,  was  a  common,  which  was 
used  on  training  days  for  a  parade  ground.  Across  the 
common  opposite  the  church  was  the  home  of  the  Rev. 

108 


Thomas  Hanford,  who  came  to  Norwalk  in  1652  and 
was  assigned  a  home  lot  the  following  year.  The  men 
who  founded  Norwalk  were  not  ignorant  men  nor  ad- 
venturers in  the  sense  of  being  of  a  roving  disposition. 
Their  bold  journeyings  into  untried  regions  were  not  to 
ascape  from  the  restraints  of  law,  but  to  make  homes  for 
themselves  under  laws  which  were  framed  by  themselves. 
Some  of  them  were  experienced  in  frontier  life,  having 
been  in  America  twenty  or  thirty  years.  Self-reliant, 
hardy,  not  without  money,  they  were  of  the  strength  of 
England.  Many  unmarked  graves  of  Connecticut  pio- 
neers might  rightfully  be  decorated  with  coats  of  arms; 
for  the  men  who  wrought  with  axe  and  plow  were  of 
gentle  families  as  well  as  from  the  yeomanry.  The  men 
of  means  who  left  old  England  for  the  hard  conditions 
of  the  pioneer's  life  were  of  the  religious  class  who  be- 
lieved the  pomp  and  glory  of  the  world  a  hindrance  in 
preparing  for  the  next ;  and,  while  deference  frorr  the 
lower  to  the  gentler  born  survived  in  social  usages,  all 
other  class  distinctions  dropped  out  of  sight.  The  task 
our  forefathers  had  set  themselves  was  too  engrossing 
to  allow  them  to  spend  time  and  money  upon  perpetuat- 
ing the  traditions  of  their  lineage.  It  remains  for  the 
descendants  of  this  generation  to  connect  the  families  of 
America  with  the  English  stock;  and,  in  most  cases 
of  those  who  claim  their  ancestry  among  the  planters  of 
the  New  England  colonies,  it  is  possible  to  trace  the 
family  historv  in  English  records.  The  lack  of  monu- 
ments to  mark  the  graves  of  even  the  eminent  men  of 
those  times  is  explained  by  the  scarcity  of  suitable  stone 
and  the  lack  of  the  stone  cutter's  skill.  The  Connecticut 
colonists  were  more  democratic  in  their  ideas  of  town 
government  than  the  Massachusetts  colonists.  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Hooker,  a  man  of  whom  it  was  said  "he  could 
put  a  king  in  his  pocket,"  was  the  leader  of  this  senti- 
ment and  his  ringing  words  in  a  sermon  preached  at 
Hartford  in  1638  "to  persuade  us  as  God  has  given  us 
liberty  to  take  it"  give  the  key  to  the  spirit  of  the  men 
who  planted  the  "three  vines  set  in  the  wilderness," 
Windsor,  Hartford.  Wethersfield,  honored  on  the  seal 
of  the  State.  Our  Norwalk  forefathers  were  men  of  this 
stamp  and  the  town  records  show  the  importance 
attached  to  the  vote  each  man  was  entitled  to  in  the  town 
meeting ;  so  anxious  were  they  that  every  voice  should 
be  heard,  a  fine  was  imposed  for  absence  from  it.  There 

104 


were  officials  in  those  days  who  fill  no  place  in  modern 
town  government. 

Thomas  Lupton  was  chosen  in  July,  1668,  "to  look 
after  the  young  people  in  the  meeting  house  on  the 
Lord's  day  and  to  doe  his  best  endeavor  to  help  them 
from  playing  and  unsivill  behavior  in  time  of  public  wor- 
ship." Thomas  Barnum  undertook  the  same  task  in 
1 68 1,  ''to  keep  good  decorum  amongst  the  youth  in  times 
of  exercise  on  the  Sabbath  and  other  publique  meetings ; 
and  the  Towne  doe  impower  him  if  he  see  any  disorderly, 
for  to  keep  a  small  stick  to  correct  such  with,  only  he  is 
desired  to  do  it  with  clemency."  In  1665,  Walter  Haite 
was  appointed  to  beat  the  drum  for  meetings  at  ios.,  for 
the  year,  and  Thomas  Benedict  to  have  the  meeting 
house  swept  for  205.  A  later  drummer,  Robert  Stewart, 
son  of  one  of  the  richest  men,  was  "rewarded  for  his  ser- 
vice with  the  drumb."  In  1703,  a  bell  superseded  the 
drum  in  calling  people  to  the  meeting  house,  and  in  1713 
Zerubbabell  Hoyt  was  engaged  to  ring  the  bell  at  9 
o'clock  every  night.  No  public  business  was  transacted 
in  town  meeting  after  that  hour. 

The  first  mill  was  not  the  old  tide  mill.  Jonathan 
Marsh  established  the  first  grist  mill  at  the  foot  of  Mill 
Hill  in  1657. 

The  oldest  road  in  town  is  the  "Stamford  path," 
which  stretched  from  that  place  to  Fairfield  over  Flax 
Hill  and  through  Van  Zandt  avenue.  This  existed  as  a 
"trail"  when  the  settlers  first  came  to  Norwalk,  since 
Stamford  and  Fairfield  are  older  settlements.  The  next 
oldest  is  East  avenue,  from  Rev.  Dr.  A.  F.  Beard's  home 
down  to  the  old  Benedict  tide  mill.  The  most  convenient 
crossing  place  when  the  colonists  took  their  cows  to  pas- 
ture on  the  west  side  of  the  river  was  at  the  ford  above 
the  falls  where  the  iron  bridge  nowspans  the  river  in 
Cross  avenue.  This  naturally  made  the  beginning  of  a 
road  in  that  direction. 

Goodman  Marsh  was  instructed  by  the  town  meet- 
ing to  be  ready  to  grind  the  townsmen's  corn  on  the  2nd, 
4th  and  6th  days  of  the  week.  In  1664  Henry  Whitney 
was  permitted  to  erect  "a  good  and  sufficient  ground 
corne  mill  at  the  Point  of  Rocks  on  the  Norwalk  river 
below  the  falls."  His  home  lot  was  laid  out  "on  the 
mill  plain  on  the  right  hand  of  the  patch  leading  down 
to  the  old  mill.  The  Point  of  Rocks,  Mr.  Selleck  tells 
us,  is  now  a  part  of  the  foundation  of  the  Norwalk  bridge 
and  the  mill  and  Whitney's  house  were  the  first  build- 

106 


ings  in  the  future  city  of  Nonvalk.  In  1680  the  growing 
community  required  a  bridge  and  the  town  committee 
chose  the  place  "below  the  falls"  by  the  mill  for  its  site. 
Christopher  Comstock  kept  the  first  ordinary  for  enter- 
taining strangers;  in  1671,  he  lived  at  the  corner  of  East 
avenue  and  the  Old  Fairfield  road  opposite  the  meeting 
house  and  very  near  our  Founders'  stone.  Richard 
Holmes  set  up  the  first  saw  mill  on  Five-Mile-River  with 
the  liberty  of  a  mile  of  timber  on  this  side  of  that  river. 
With  the  buildings  of  the  bridge  a  movement  towards 
uptown  began ;  then  came  the  question  of  a  new  meeting 
house.  The  young  people  who  looked  towards  the  fu- 
ture thought  a  change  of  site  was  desirable  and  the  old 
people  who  looked  towards  the  past,  remembering  their 
struggles  in  a  wild  land  when  they  came  to  Norwalk 
thirty  years  before,  prized  the  associations  of  the  original 
site.  So  a  commitete  of  "three  honest  indifferent  judi- 
cious men"  was  chosen  to  decide  the  question  and  the 
record  reads  "the  town  engages  to  sit  down  satisfied 
with  their  determination."  The  new  meeting  house  was 
built  on  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Dr.  Beard  in 
East  avenue.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Hanford  was  growing 
old,  but  the  town  meeting  affectionately  requested  him 
"to  proceed  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  and  to  continue 
in  the  sayd  work  till  the  Lord  shall  dispose  of  him  other- 
wise," pledging  him  their  faithful  support.  He  died  seven 
years  later,  after  a  pastorate  of  over  forty  years.  In  1690 
the  atrocities  of  the  Indians  at  Schenectady  and  Salmon 
Falls  during  the  French  and  Indian  war  alarmed  all  the 
colonies.  Nonvalk  took  precautionary  measures  against 
attack  by  fortifying  the  meeting  house  and  setting  a 
watch. 

In  front  of  this  second  meeting  house  another  com- 
mon or  green  became  the  heart  of  the  community  and 
Matthew  Sention  kept  a  tavern  or  ordinary  nearby.  An 
entertaining  old  journal  kept  by  a  young  woman  who 
made  the  difficult  journey  from  Boston  to  New  York  and 
back  again  in  1704  comments  on  her  stop  in  Norwalk  as 
follows:  "About  nine  at  night  we  came  to  Norwalk, 
having  crept  over  a  timber  of  a  broken  bridge  about 
thirty  feet  long  and  perhaps  fifty  to  ye  water.  I  was  ex- 
ceedingly tired  out  and  cold  when  we  came  to  our  Inn 
and  could  get  nothing  there  but  poor  entertainment  and 
the  impertinent  babble  of  one  of  the  worst  of  men,  among 
many  others,  of  which  our  Host  made  one,  who,  had 
he  been  one  degree  imprudenter,  would  have  outdone  his 


108 


Grandfather,  and  this  I  think  is  the  most  perplexed  night 
I  have  yet  had.  From  hence,  Saturday,  Dec.  23,  a  very 
cold  and  windy  day,  after  an  intolerable  night's  lodgings, 
we  hasted  forward,  only  observing  in  our  way  the  town 
to  be  situated  on  a  navigable  river,  with  indifferent  build- 
ings and  people  more  refined  (Pg.  2720  174.30)  than  in 
some  of  the  country  towns  wee  had  passed  tho'  vicious 
enough,  the  Church  and  tavern  being  next  neighbors." 

The  second  minister,  Stephen  Buckingham,  was  set- 
tled in  1695  and,  after  the  custom  of  the  times,  a  home- 
stead was  given  him,  together  with  a  piece  of  salt  marsh 
for  "crick  thatch."  His  lot  now  lies  under  the  roadbed 
of  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  railroad.  In  1717 
the  third  meeting  house  was  built  and  another  lengthy 
deliberation  as  to  its  site  ended  in  the  choice  of  the  place 
now  occupied  by  Mrs.  W.  G.  Thomas's  residence,  in 
East  avenue.  When  it  was  completed  in  1721  it  was 
voted  to  use  it  only  for  religious  meetings;  it  had  a 
steeple  and  a  bell  and  broad  stone  steps.  This  was  the 
meeting  house  during  revolutionary  days  and  was  the 
one  burned  during  Tryon's  invasion.  The  burial  ground 
on  Mill  Hill  called  Whitnev's  Hill  in  the  records,  after 
the  miller,  was  opened  for  the  use  of  members  of  the 
First  Society  (Congregational)  in  1767.  The  grant  to 
St.  Paul's  parish  was  made  thirty  years  before  but  addi- 
tional land  was  granted  it  in  1760.  Just  here  we  remark 
how  strange  it  is  that  no  mention  is  made  in  any  records 
of  the  earliest  burial  ground  in  Norwalk.  Probably  the 
down-town  cemetery  is  the  oldest,  but  no  very  ancient 
stones  are  there  to  show  where  the  "forefathers  of  the 
hamlet  sleep."  The  early  graves  were  probably  never 
marked  save  by  stones  at  head  and  foot  which  their  con- 
temporaries knew,  but  with  no  inscription  to  tell  later 
generations  where  the  Marvins  and  Hanfords,  Benedicts 
and  Betts,  Fitchs  and  Olmsteads,  Sensions  and  Hoyts, 
Gregories  and  Seymours,  Lockwoods,  Comstocks,  Whit- 
neys  and  Raymonds  of  the  first  two  generations  sleep. 
In  1708  land  was  appropriated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  for  a  burial  place  which  is  doubtless  Pine  Island; 
and  many  venerable  stones  stand  there  whose  inscriptions 
are  still  legible.  It  seems  as  if  the  Down  Town  cemetery 
had  not  been  reverently  treated ;  for  stones  with  quaint 
epitaphs  which  were  seen  there  ten  years  or  so  ago  have 
disappeared. 

Surely  if  this  is  the  spot  where  Norwalk's  forefath- 

107 


ers  are  buried  its  dust  is  sacred  and  the  place  should  be 
suitably  enclosed  and  every  stone  that  is  left  be  preserv- 
ed. If  we  were  to  go  on  with  our  reminiscences,  bring- 
ing us  to  Revolutionary  days,  a  fund  of  tradition  would 
enliven  the  narrative ;  stories  of  General  Washington  and 
Postmaster-General  Franklin  passing  through  or  stop- 
ping over  night ;  stories  of  dwellers  in  the  old  houses  now 
gone,  yet  well  remembered,  by  the  older  people  who  have 
heard  from  grandsires'  lips  anecdotes  of  the  century  and 
a  quarter  since  the  Revolution. 


I 


106 


HISTORY        OF       THE 
EAST      NORWALK     SCHOOL 


By  Augustus  C.  Golding. 

HE  first  mention  of  a  school  in  the 
town  proceedings  is  dated  May  29, 
1678.  The  town  voted  and  agreed  to 
hire  a  school  master  to  teach  all  of 
the  children  in  the  town  to  read,  and 
write,  and  the  Townsmen  (selectmen) 
were  instructed  to  hire  Mr.  Cornish  on 
as  reasonable  terms  as  they  can. 

Feb.  20,  1679,  James  Olmsted  was  appointed  school 
master  to  set  copies  for  the  children.  Nov.  17,  1679,  it 
was  voted  to  build  a  school  house  20  ft.  long  18  ft.  wide, 
posts  7ft.,  and  to  be  not  less  than  6  ft.  from  floor  to  ceil- 
ing ;  it  was  to  stand  between  Samuel  Keeler's  corner  and 
the  water  flood,  which  has  been  located  near  the  barn  of 
W.  S.  Hanford,  directly  in  front  of  the  upper  school 
house. 

Aug.  20,  1686,  voted  30  pounds  (about  $150)  for  a 
school  master;  also  voted  to  have  a  house  fitted  for  a 
school. 

Feb.  21,  1692,  Mr.  Thomas  Hanford,  Jr.,  was  chosen 
school  master,  to  be  paid  I  pound  10  shillings,  (about 
$7-5°)  Per  month.  He  was  born  in  the  town  July  18, 
1668,  and  lived  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Selleck  lives,  on  the 
town  street,  now  called  East  avenue.  He  died  in  I743> 
and  is  buried  in  the  nearby  cemetery. 

Dec.  12,  1705,  voted  that  the  lots  in  rear  of  Mr. 
Buckingham's,  called  pasture  lots,  shall  be  sequestered  for 
school  use  4  acres  !to  be  and  remain  for  the  use  of  the 
schoolmaster.  Rev.  Mr.  Buckingham's  lot  is  now  cross- 
ed by  the  N.  Y.,  N.  H.  &  H.  R.  R.,  the  east  bound  sta- 
tion being  on  it.  The  pasture  lots  extended  east  and 
north  to  the  Saugatuck  river. 

Feb.  3,  1703-4,  voted  that  there  should  be  a  school- 
master in  the  town  if  he  could  be  found  on  reasonable 
terms. 

Jan.  30,  1720-21,  voted  to  have  two  schools  attended, 
and  kept  for  the  year  ensuing,  one  at  ye  south  end  of  ye 
town,  and  the  other  at  ye  north  end  of  ye  town,  at  ye  two 
respective  school  houses  now  in  being,  in  ye  winter 

100 


time ;  and  ye  summer  school  at  ye  south  end,  and  at  ye 
school  house  on  the  west  side  of  ye  river ;  and  ye  coun- 
try money  shall  be  divided  according  to  lyst  by  the  mili- 
tary lyne. 

From  the  above  it  would  appear  that  the  school  at 
the  south  end  of  the  town  was  the  largest  school  being 
open  the  whole  of  the  year. 

We  will  now  come  down  to  more  modern  times. 
The  school  house  in  use  previous  to  1826  stood  on  the 
street  within  the  present  fence  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  homestead  of  Rev.  A.  T.  Beard,  D.D.,  a  new  school 
house  was  erected  in  that  year  being  the  building  now 
standing  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  homestead  of 
Mr.  O.  W.  Raymond.  When  in  use  as  a  school  house 
ir  stood  in  the  street  between  two  trees,  one  of  which  is 
now  standing ;  when  this  building  was  completed  the  old 
building  was  sold,  and  the  owner  of  the  adjoining  land 
moved  his  fence  out  to  include  the  school  site  and  after- 
ward moved  his  barn  partly  on  the  street,  and  then  built 
his  fence  outside  of  that  making  the  street  the  narrow 
alley  it  now  is.  Down  to  the  building  of  the  school 
house  which  succeeded  this  last  building  all  of  the  school 
houses  had  been  fitted  in  the  old  way ;  a  row  of  planking 
around  the  building  or  on  two  or  three  sides  next  the 
walls,  furnished  the  desks,  in  front  of  this  another  plank 
at  the  proper  height,  furnished  the  seat.  There  was  no 
back  to  lean  against,  except  that  when  the  scholars  turn- 
ed out  (so  called)  they  could  lean  against  the  desk.  Some 
time  before  this  school  house  was  abandoned  chairs  with 
a  back  were  substituted  for  the  plank.  These  could  be 
turned  in  any  direction,  (in  my  school  days  plank  desks 
like  these  were  well  filled  with  holes  and  other  knife 
marks,)  the  small  scholars  sat  on  benches  in  the  middle 
of  the  room.  Some  benches  had  backs,  and  some  had 
none,  and  the  small  children  were  kept  in  school  the  same 
number  of  hours  as  the  older  ones. 

In  1868,  the  district  acquired  a  portion  of  the  site 
on  which  the  upper  school  building  stands  and  the  front 
part  of  the  building  was  erected,  there  was  one  large 
room  on  the  second  floor  (since  divided)  and  two  rooms 
on  the  first  floor.  It  was  then  supposed  that  the  district 
was  provided  with  school  rooms  enough  for  many  years. 
When  the  building  was  finished  the  system  of  seating  and 
desks  now  in  use  were  introduced,  to  the  great  comfort 
of  the  pupils;  but  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  before  many 
years  the  present  old  fashioned  seats,  and  desks  will  give 

no 


way  to  the  single  desk,  and  seat  for  each  pupil,  that  can 
be  adjusted  to  suit  the  scholar,  be  he  or  she,  tall  or  short. 

I  will  also  say  for  your  information  so  that  you  may 
avoid  such  a  mistake  when  you  grow  up,  that  the  dis- 
trict borrowed  $8,000  (eight  thousand  dollars)  to  pay 
the  balance  due  on  the  building  when  completed,  and 
that  on  this  money  they  paid  more  than  $8,000  interest, 
making  the  cost  to  the  district  for  that  4  room  wooden 
building  more  than  that  of  the  new  8  room  brick  school 
house  with  4  rooms  finished. 

When  the  town  was  divided  into  districts  this  was 
called  the  Down  Town  District,  till  about  18  years  ago, 
when  the  name  was  changed  to  East  Norwalk. 

The  school  continued  to  grow,  and  all  of  the  rooms 
were  filled.  There  was  talk  of  finishing  a  room  in  the 
attic;  but  the  better  plan  of  building  in  the  rear  was 
adopted,  and  the  two  rooms  in  the  rear  of  the  center  of 
the  old  building  were  put  up  with  a  recitation  room  at 
one  end  of  the  hall  on  the  second  story.  With  this  addi- 
tion there  was  room  enough  till  1890  when  the  two  rooms 
on  the  southeast  corner  were  erected ;  at  the  same  time 
the  recitation  room  was  enlarged  by  extending  it  into 
the  new  part.  These  additions  were  paid  for  when  built. 

About  1895  the  building  again  became  crowded  and 
more  room  was  needed.  A  meeting  was  called  and  an 
effort  made  to  build  another  addition.  It  resulted  only 
in  buying  about  80  ft.  additional  land  on  the  rear  of  the 
lot,  and  much  improving' the  present  site. 

In  1896  the  district  voted  to  buy  five  lots  on  Greg- 
ory Boulevard  and  Second  avenue,  making  150  ft.  on 
the  first  street  and  250  ft.  on  the  avenue.  In  the  mean- 
time rooms  were  hired  in  Randall's  block,  and  two  teach- 
ers were  installed  there  with  small  children.  In  1897 
the  district  voted  to  erect  the  present  eight  room  brick 
building  on  the  new  site.  Work  was  commenced  the 
same  year,  and  the  outside  completed.  The  next  spring 
four  rooms,  the  halls,  and  basement  being  completed.  It 
was  occupied  at  the  commencement  of  the  spring  term ; 
and  the  high  school  removed  there  from  the  upper  build- 
ing. The  number  of  pupils  still  increases,  and  probably 
by  next  year  additional  rooms  will  have  to  be  finished  in 
the  new  building. 

This  district  is  second  in  the  town  in  the  number  of 
scholars  attending  school,  and  it  may  be  safely  said,  bet- 
ter provided  with  room  than  any  other  large  district. 


The  East  Norwalk  schools  stand  well  in  the  estimation 
of  those  qualified  to  judge. 

As  the  name  of  the  first  teacher  has  been  given  it 
will  not  be  amiss  to  say  that  the  present  principal  is  Mr. 
Edward  H.  Gumbart,  and  that  he  is  assisted  by  thirteen 
lady  teachers. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  preceding  history  of  the  first 
school  that  the  town  had  been  settled  twenty-eight  years 
before  there  was  mention  of  a  school  or  teacher.  A 
generation  had  grown  up  in  this  time,  and  probably 
some  of  them  had  children  old  enough  to  attend  school. 
We  will  not  suppose  that  they  had  grown  up  in  ignor- 
ance, for  many  of  them  were  afterward  prominent  in 
the  town  and  "state.  Probably  the  long  silence  about 
the  school  may  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Hanford  had  been  a  school  teacher  up  to  the 
time  that  he  came  to  Norwalk,  the  first  record  of  which 
is  Roxbury,  Mass.,  in  the  year  1651.  October  2Qth  the 
secretary  of  New  Haven  colony  was  desired  to  speak 
to  Mr.  Goodyear  to  see  some  means  to  bring  the  school- 
master hither.  November  I4th  he  was  in  New  Haven 
and  an  agreement  was  made  with  him  as  to  his  pay  and 
diet  and  chamber  which,  being  arranged,  he  taught  till 
June,  1652,  when  one  of  the  planters  from  Norwalk 
went  to  New  Haven  and  saw  the  Governor  and  Mr.  Han- 
ford  with  a  view  to  his  coming  to  Norwalk  to  work  in 
the  ministry.  It  is  probable  that  he  taught  the  children 
in  his  own  or  some  other  house  till  his  age  incapacitated 
him  for  such  hard  work- 


CENTRE    SCHOOL,    NORWALK 


HE  celebration  exercises  in  this  school 
were  very  interesting  and  the  occasion 
was  diversified  by  a  loan  exhibition  of 
historical  relics,  gathered  from  some 
of  the  older  persons  and  which  was 
a  very  pleasant  and  instructive  feature. 
The  addresses  were  listened  to  with 
close  attention.  The  program  of  the 
morning  was  as  follows: 

Song,  The  Breaking  Waves;  scripture  reading, 
twenty-third  and  one  hundredth  Psalms ;  Episcopal  pray- 
er for  the  president  of  the  United  States;  salute  to  the 
flag ;  song,  The  Star  Spangled  Banner ;  address,  Rev.  C. 
M.  Selleck;  sketch,  The  Old  Wooden  Building  Remin- 
iscenses,  Emma  Quintard;  sketch,  The  Brick  Building 
and  later  Additions,  Chester  Heath ;  address,  Congress- 
man E.  J.  Hill;  song,  America;  salute  to  the  flag. 


in 


THE     PUBLIC    ASSEMBLY 


HE  gathering  of  the  school  children  in 
the  State  Armory  was  a  memorable 
event.  The  great  building  was  crowd- 
ed and  the  decorations  in  blue,  white 
and  yellow  with  national  flags,  were 
highly  praised.  Possibly,  the  Armory 
decorations  were  never  so  complete 
and  perfect  as  on  this  occasion  and 
well  served  for  the  further  events  connected  with  the  cele- 
bration. The  decorations  were  under  the  charge  of  the 
ladies  and  were  well  planned  by  Mr.  Charles  Miller. 
The  school  children  took  up  the  line  of  march  toward 
the  Armory  at  1:30  p.  m.,  and  the  streets  as  they  ap- 
proached presented  a  brilliant  appearance.  A  body  of 
well  trained  ushers,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  How- 
ard J.  Bloomer  were  very  efficient  in  seating  the  assem- 
bly. 

Abiathar  Blanchard,  secretary  of  the  board  of 
school  visitors,  was  chairman  of  the  exercises  in  the  ar- 
mory. 

The  first  number  was  the  singing  of  "The  Star 
Spangled  Banner"  by  the  scholars.  The  great  drill  hall 
rang  with  the  refrain,  "O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  home 
of  the  brave." 

Secretary  Blanchard  then  made  a  few  introductory 
remarks,  closing  by  introducing  Miss  Mary  Merriman 
Abbott,  president  of  the  Connecticut  State  Federation 
of  Women's  clubs,  who  made  an  address  on  "Yesterday, 
To-day  and  To-morrow."  Mr.  Blanchard  spoke  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Ladies  and  gentlemen,  fellow  citizens  of  Norwalk 
and  visiting  friends,  teachers  and  pupils  of  the  schools 
of  the  town: — As  presiding  officer  during  these  exercises, 
allow  me  to  extend  to  you  greetings  on  this  auspicious 
occasion. 

"It  is  well  within  the  bounds  of  truth  to  say  that  the 
exercises  of  the  present  week  have  a  quite  remarkable 
significance.  We  are  commemorating  the  25Oth  anni- 
versary of  the  founding  of  this  town.  Two  hundred  and 
fifty  years,  a  quarter  of  a  millennium,  this  is  a  long  period 
in  human  history,  even  in  the  history  of  the  nations  and 
towns  of  the  old  world.  In  this  newly  discovered  Ameri- 
ca such  a  period  carries  us  back  almost  to  the  beginnings 

in 


of  Colonial  history,  to  within  a  generation  of  the  land- 
ing of  the  Pilgrims  at  Plymouth.  Certainly  there  are 
comparatively  few  American  towns  which  can  boast  an 
antiquity  equal  to  our  own. 

"We  do  not,  however,  pride  ourselves  chiefly  or  even 
greatly,  on  our  longevity.  The  question  that  history 
asks  inexorably  of  nations,  of  towns  and  of  men  is  not 
How  long  have  you  lived?  but  What  have  you  done? 
That  question  will  be  answered  for  Norwalk  in  many 
ways  in  the  course  of  the  present  celebration.  In  con- 
nection with  the  exercises  this  afternoon  I  wish  to  call 
attention  to  the  action  of  a  town  meeting  held  May  29, 
1678,  when  it  was  "voted  and  agreed"  to  hire  a  school- 
master to  teach  all  the  children  in  the  town  to  read  and 
write.  Such  is  the  record  and  it  was  fitting  that  in 
these  anniversary  observances  the  schools  of  the  town 
that  has  continued  faithful  to  this  tradition  should  have 
a  foremost  place  and  that  for  them  one  day  of  the  week 
should  have  been  set  apart. 

"It  may  be  remembered  that  the  Hon.  Joseph  H. 
Choate,  our  minister  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  on  a  cer- 
tain occasion  when  the  virtues  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers 
were  highly  lauded,  took  it  upon  himself  to  say  a  word  for 
the  Pilgrim  Mothers,  telling  us  that  they  not  only  en- 
dured all  that  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  endured,  but  had 
to  endure  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  besides.  In  this  sub- 
ject of  the  witty  advocate,  which  has  come  laughing 
down  the  years,  there  is  a  truth  that  gives  it  its  point 
and  force.  In  all  our  educational  history  we  notice  in 
the  actual  work  of  the  school  room  the  predominant  in- 
fluence of  woman.  Of  the  86  teachers  at  present  em- 
ployed in  the  public  schools  of  Norwalk,  77,  or  more 
than  90  per  cent,  are  women.  I  suppose  that  the  same 
proportion  would  hold  good  in  other  places.  We  are 
honored  to-day  by  the  presence  of  a  lady  who  holds  a 
position  as  teacher  in  a  sister  city  of  the  state  famed 
for  its  excellent  schools.  This  lady  has  also  won  dictinc- 
tion  as  a  writer  and  lecturer  on  educational  topics.  It 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  present  to  you  Miss  Mary 
Merriman  Abbott,  who  will  address  you  on  the  subject  of 
'Yesterday,  To-day  and  To-morrow.'  " 

Miss  Abbott  pleased  everybody  by  her  witty,  de- 
lightful manner.  Her  subject  dealt  chiefly  with  the 
schools  of  Connecticut.  She  told  of  the  honorable  rec- 
ord of  our  schools  in  the  past.  After  touching  on  the 


116 


schools  of  to-day  she  stated  her  hopes  for  the  future  of 
Connecticut's  educational  system. 

The  scholars  sang,  "Columbia,  the  Gem  of  the 
Ocean." 

Next  on  the  program  was  an  address  by  Rev.  Rom- 
illy  P.  Humphries,  rector  of  Trinity  Episcopal  church, 
South  Norwalk,  who  spoke  on  "Citizenship."  He  was 
introduced  in  the  following  words  by  Chairman  Blanch- 
ard: 

"Ladies  and  gentlemen: — On  two  occasions  during 
the  school  year  just  closed,  when  classes  were  graduated 
from  our  high  school  department,  many  of  us  listened 
with  pleasure  and  profit  to  addresses  by  one  of  our  fellow 
townsmen.  When  it  came  to  a  choice  of  speakers  for 
this  afternoon,  the  name  of  this  gentleman  at  once  occur- 
red to  the  committee  having  this  matter  in  charge.  It  is 
a  great  pleasure  to  introduce  the  Rev.  Romilly  F.  Hum- 
phries, who  will  address  us  on  the  subject  of  'Citizen- 
ship.' " 

"Fa^r  America"  and  "Hail  Columbia"  were  then 
sung. 

"The  Men  Who  Made  Connecticut"  was  the  sub- 
ject of  an  address  by  Walter  Seth  Logan,  Esq.,  president 
of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution. 

Mr.  Logan,  who  is  a  large,  stately  looking  man,  made 
a  hit  with  his  audience  from  the.  start.  He  opened  his 
address  in  a  voice  that  could  easily  be  heard  in  all  parts 
of  the  hall,  and  the  little  ones  forgot  their  discomfort  to 
applaud  his  witty  points. 

His  subject  was  "The  Men  Who  Made  Connecti- 
cut," but  this  was  thrown  to  the  winds,  as  he  started  in 
to  relate  some  funny  stories  that  promptly  convulsed  his 
hearers.  He  didn't  know  whether  it  was  a  good  thing 
for  New  York  when  he  removed  to  that  state,  but  he 
knew  it  was  good  for  Connecticut  when  he  left.  He  ob- 
jected to  the  heat;  he  had  250  pounds  heated,  while 
most  of  his  hearers  had  less  than  100  pounds.  "I  haven't 
much  to  say,  and  I  can't  say  it  very  well,"  was  the  prom- 
inent lawyer's  plea,  and  it  tickled  the  youngsters  nearly 
to  death.  "If  I'm  not  talking  loud  enough,  just  let  me 
know,"  bellowed  the  speaker.  "When  I  was  a  baby  I 
could  yell  louder  than  any  other  baby  in  Litchfield  coun- 
ty." He  believed  in  the  rights  of  children  and  one  of 
these  rights  was  that  they  should  not  be  cooped  up  in  a 
building  on  a  hot  September  afternoon.  This  was  a 
government  by  representation;  let  your  teachers  repre- 

110 


sent  you,  and  you  go  out  and  play  in  the  grass.  The 
children  promptly  climbed  in  their  seats  and  yelled  for 
Mr.  Logan. 

Mr.  Logan  referred  to  the  signs  Concord  and  Frank- 
lin, which  referred  to  the  schools,  and  said  the  names 
were  of  Revolutionary  significance.  He  spoke  of 
Frank! in's  victory  over  nature  and  said  that  the  victories 
of  science  were  greater  than  those  of  war. 

"The  men  who  made  Connecticut  are  living  to-day," 
declared  the  speaker.  "Those  who  will  make  Connec- 
ticut are  before  me  to-day." 

"I  am  proud  of  my  descent  from  the  old  makers  of 
Connecticut.  One  of  my  forefathers  was  Rev.  Thomas 
Hooker,  who  carried  the  Bible  in  one  hand  and  a  gun 
in  the  other.  He  fought  the  devil  on  Sunday  and  wild 
Indians  the  other  six  days.  Connecticut  was  settled  by 
the  purest  of  the  Saxon  blood,  a  race  that  is  noted  for  its 
determination  and  self  reliance." 


11T 


THE  EVENING  OF  SEPTEMBER  TENTH 


F  all  great  crowds  that  ever  assembled 
in  or  around  the  Norwalk  armory  that 
which  gathered  this  evening,  to  attend 
the  "Evening  With  Aboriginal  Nor- 
waake,"  the  opening  festivity  of  the 
quartermillennial  celebration  of  The 
Norwalks,  was  the  greatest.  With 
public  celebrations,  as  with  county 
fairs,  the  crowd  makes  the  success.  The  entire  western 
section  of  the  state  seemed  to  have  turned  itself  inside  out 
to  make  this  night's  affair  a  success.  Hundreds  and  hun- 
dreds of  people  clamored  at  the  doors  of  the  great  hall 
an  hour  before  it  was  opened.  As  many  more  congrega- 
ted around  the  scene  of  the  opening  ceremonies  of  the 
evening,  which  were  held  in  the  Marvin  lot  near  the  ar- 
mory, the  ushers  found  it  'almost  impossible  to  control 
the  crowd,  and  the  armory,  the  largest  available  building, 
was  filled  long  before  the  Indians  arrived. 

The  jam  at  the  door  was  terrific.  Women  and  chil- 
dren were  all  but  trampled  under  foot,  and  after  a  min- 
ute or  two  of  the  struggle  left  the  building  only  to  'be  ce- 
placed  by  as  many  more  anxious  ones.  Tickets  for  re- 
served seats  found  no  respect  in  the  crowd  and  the  par- 
ticipants who  arrived  late  were  scarcely  able  to  get 
through  with  the  aid  of  the  policemen.  Some  gave  it  up 
and  went  home. 

During  the  ceremonies  in  the  open  air  trees  in  the 
neighborhood  were  lined  with  youngsters  who  tore  off 
limbs  in  their  anxiety  to  see  the  doings  of  the  Red  Men. 
The  line-up  on  the  top  of  the  bill  boards  in  the  lot  was  so 
close  that  when  one  lad  lost  his  balance  in  the  middle  of 
the  ceremony  and  fell  to  the  ground,  fifteen  feet  below, 
he  took  four  or  five  of  his  companions  with  him. 

The  opening  ceremony  was  the  burning  of  Ischoda 
or  peace  fire,  famous  in  the  nation's  history  and  originally 
presided  over  by  the 'chieftain  Uncas  on  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson.  This  fire  was  ahvavs  built  before  a  celebration. 
The  braves  would  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace  around  it  and 
then  march  around  it  three  times,  bearing  the  miniature 
wigwam  of  beads,  all  of  which  was  an  invocation  to  the 
spirits. 

The  evening's  functions  were  a  repretition  of  these 
ceremonies  by  the  Improved  Red  Men  of  to-day,  the 

118 


whole  being  given  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Charles 
M.  Selleck.  It  was  a  portrayal  of  the  lesser  Ischoda,  or 
camp-fire  of  the  Connecticut  Mohawks.  This  was  a  cus- 
tom of  the  Mohawks,  from  whom  the  Connecticut  tribes 
came,  and  not  of  the  Pequots.  It  was  always  built  on  a 
meadow. 

The  Norwalk  Red  Men  were  the  first  to  arrive.  The 
campfire  had  already  been  started  by  a  delegation  under 
the  direction  of  George  W.  Raymond.  There  were 
about  thirty  in  the  Norwalk  delegation.  The  South 
Norwalk  delegation  did  not  arrive  until  some  time  later. 
They  were  in  full  regalia  and  each  tribe  had  its  tom-toms 
and  their  tom-tom  beaters.  The  Red  Men  were  paint- 
ed, and  the  costumes  of  the  principal  characters  were 
especially  fine. 

Rev.  Mr.  Selleck  opened  the  ceremonies  with  a 
prayer.  Then  the  braves  formed  in  line,  the  stalwart 
King  Catona  in  the  lead,  with  his  white  buckskin  suit 
and  feathers  showing  off  to  fine  advantage. 

The  real  ceremony  centered  around  the  beaded 
wigwam  that  was  carried  before  'the  procession,  usually 
by  two  young  pages,  but  in  this  instance  by  two  braves, 
Fred  Benger  and  William  Thompson.  The  wigwam 
was  quite  a  novel  creation.  The  wooden  frame  came 
from  the  grave  of  the  great  Ponus  in  New  Canaan ;  the 
beads  were  a  gift,  and  the  whole  was  the  handiwork  of 
Mrs.  James  Lawrence  Stevens.  The  wigwam  was  car- 
ried on  a  large  silver  salver,  and  at  the  side  of  it  were 
bracelets  also  of  beads.  - 

After  the  procession  had  gone  around  the  fire  three 
times,  it  left  the  circle  and  commenced  a  parade  up  and 
down  the  avenue,  after  which  it  made  its  way  into  the 
armory,  the  braves  bearing  redfire  in  the  meanwhile. 
The  braves  who  bore  the  wigwam  waited  in  front  of  the 
stage  until  the  others  had  taken  their  seats  on  the  stage, 
and  then  'they  placed  the  wigwam  at  the  feet  of  the  king. 


no 


THE     HISTORICAL    TABLEAUX 

HE  event  inside  of  the  Armory  was  the 
presentation  of  seven  historical  tab- 
leaux connected  with  the  early  history 
of  Norvvalk  and  its  founders. 

John    H.   Ferris  presided   in    the 
absence  of  F.  St.  John  Lockwood,  who 
was  ill  and  he  announced    that  Rev. 
Mr.  Selleck  would  interpret  the  tab- 
leaux. 

The  Indian  cast  for  the  tableaux  was : 

Catonah,  Julius  A.  Hubbell. 

His  son,  Frederick  B.  Malkin. 

Aratomah,  John  D.  Milne. 

Ponus,  James  H.  Flynn. 

Three  princes,  Asa  Decker,  Frank  Wehrle,  Samuel 
N  orris. 

Powahay,  Joseph  W.  Howe. 

Mahackemo,  George  Fisher. 

Marakame,  W.  A.  Thompson. 

Pemenante,  Thomas  Robbins. 

Mamackimo,  George  Quick. 

Cockenoe,  Fred  Benger. 

Tomekergo,  George  H.  Hirst. 

Proserwamemos,  Hugh  Durkin. 

Tokameke,  Aaron  Decker. 

Winnipauk,  G.  C.  Meehan. 

Braves,  W.  J.  Wilcox,  Edward  Quick,  George  A. 
Shriver,  William  Rowe,  Frank  L.  Judd,  Ross  Malkin,  E. 
Wilson,  John  Elliott,  R.  J.  Bland. 

Adam,  a  slave,  G.  C.  Meehan. 

Catonah's  queen,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Hotchkiss. 

Her  attendant,  Mrs.  David  Hunt. 

The  first  on  the  program  was  the  singing  of  "Ameri- 
ca" by  the  Glee  Club,  led  by  Fred  Force,  and  the  au- 
dience. 

Scene  i. — Catonah,  Sachem;  Catonah's  Queen,  on 
the  left;  Wachamane,  Catonah's  son  and  successor,  on 
the  left  of  Queen;  Aratomah  on  the  right  of  Catonah. 
The  last  public  act  of  Catonah's  life  was  to  deed  to  the 
Norwalk  settlers  the  high  lands,  known  to-day  as  Ridge- 
field.  His  traditional  tomb  and  that  of  his  Queen  are 
preserved  on  the  Judge  John  Jay  estate  in  Westchester, 
N.  Y.  Ponus's  title  was  Sachem  of  Rippowams.  His 

ISO 


wigwam  was  on  Ponus  street,  New  Canaan.  A  path 
led  from  this  home  of  the  sachem  to  Norwalk.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  Ponus  died  soon  after  the  English  settled  Nor- 
walk. 

The  Red  Men  quartette,  headed  by  George  Hirst, 
rendered  a  selection. 

Scene  II. — Mahackemo  was  the  Chief  Sachem  of 
Norwalk.  He  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  hunter.  Nara- 
make  and  Pemanante  were  lesser  sachems  of  what  is  now 
called  Wilson's  Point,  where  was  something  of  an  In- 
dian settlement.  Winnipauk's  home  was  in  the  oblong 
at  the  limits  of  the  "twelve  miles  north"  Norwalk  boun- 
dary. 

Scene  III. — Roger  Ludlow  was  the  purchaser  and 
evident  founder  of  Norwalk.  He  was  a  brother-in-law 
of  Governor  John  Endicott.  He  left  the  country  in  1654, 
but  his  daughter  Sarah  (Mrs.  Nathaniel  Brewster)  found- 
ed a  family  in  this  land  and  some  of  her  descendants  ar§ 
residents,  to-day,  of  Norwalk.  He  had  two  sons,  Thomas 
and  Jonathan,  the  second  of  whom  is  known  to  have  sur- 
vived his  father.  Mrs.  Ludlow  died  in  Dublin,  Ireland, 
June  3,  1664. 

This  tableaux  was  a  representation  of  a  fact  in  Eng- 
lish history.  Prince  Edward,  afterwards  King  Edward 
VI.,  was  visiting  the  Ludlows  at  their  castle.  While 
there  a  courier  arrives  announcing  the  death  of  the 
prince's  father,  Henry  VIII.  It  is  this  scene  that  the 
tableaux  depicts.  The  'characters  were  represented  as 
follows :  Roger  Ludlow, -John  P.  Treadwell ;  Lady  Lud- 
low, Mrs.  E.  J.  Hill :  Thomas  and  Jonathan  Ludlow,  sons 
of  Roger  Manice  Lockwood,  Jr.,  and  Russell  Frost,  Jr. ; 
Miss  Sarah  Ludlow,  Mrs.  Thomas  I.  Raymond;  Prince 
Edward,  Kenneth  Vernam ;  courier,  Major  Fred  A.  Hill. 
Scene  IV. — Mr.  Ludlow,  now  of  Fairfield,  made  a 
purchase  on  February  26,  1640,  of  the  portion  of  Nor- 
walk embraced  between  the  Norwalk  and  Saugatuck 
rivers,  and  extending  some  twelve  miles  north  of  the  sea. 
Mahackemo  was  the  prominent  aboriginal  party  in  this 
transaction.  The  treaty  spot  is  supposed  to  have  been 
in  Saugatuck  and  deserves  marking. 

The  Glee  Club  rendered  the  selection  "A  Wet  Sheet 
and  a  Flowing  Sea." 

Scene  V. — This  painting  spoke  for  itself.  It  repre- 
sents the  first  minister  of  Norwalk,  Rev.  Thomas  Han- 
ford,  attired  as  mentioned  by  Mather,  in  his  robe  of  office 
and  surrounded  by  his  parishioners,  some  of  whom  are 


depicted  as  engaged  in  the  domestic  occupation  of  those 
early  times.  Thomas  Fitch,  Matthew  Marvin,  Matthias 
St.  John,  Richard  Sevmour,  Richard  Webb,  Ralph  Kee- 
ler  are  among  the  old  families,  some  member  of  which 
is  represented  in  the  painting,  Richard  Seymour  was 
not  Nonvalk  long  lived.  One  son  left  behind  in  Nor- 
walk  was  the  father  of  all  the  Norwalk  Seymours,  while 
from  the  sons  who  accompanied  their  mother  'distin- 
guished men  have  descended. 

Those  who  took  the  parts  in  this  scene  were:  Rev. 
Thomas  Hanford,  Winfield  S.  Hanford ;  Thomas  Fitch, 
Colonel  Samuel  Daskam  ;  Ralph  Keeler,  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Keeler,  Richard  Seymour;  Robert  Seymour  Van 
Buren;  Mrs.  Eliphalet  Lockwood,  Mrs.  G.  B.  St.  John; 
Puritan  maiden,  Miss  Angeline  Scott;  Elizabeth  Fitch, 
Miss  Eunice  Stevens;  Mrs.  St.  John,  Mrs.  Ira  Cole;  the 
first  Eversly,  Charles  Eversly  Curtis;  member  of  Betts 
family,  Miss  Sarah  Henderson ;  of  the  Noble  family,  Mrs. 
Edwards  Wilkinson  and  Miss  Nash;  Mrs.  Richard  Sey- 
mour, Mrs.  Robert  Van  Buren;  Ludlow  goddess,  Miss 
Alyse  Gregory. 

A  fitting  feature  of  this  tableaux  was  that  the  old 
characters  were  relineated  by  their  descendants. 

Scene  VI. — John  Elliot,  the  great  Indian  apostle, 
was  taught  the  Indian  tongue  by  a  Long  Island  red  man, 
Cockenoe,  who  lived  in  Norwalk  for  a  time  and  has  dis- 
tinct Norwalk  record. 

Scene  VII. — There  can  be  little  doubt,  says  the  his- 
torian of  Norwalk,  that  the  future  will  accord  to  Roger, 
son  of  Thomas  (Knight)  and  Jane  Ludlow,  of  England, 
the  honor  of  being  not  alone  the  purchaser  but  the  found- 
er of  this  ancient  town.  His  name  is  lastingly  Nor- 
walk associated  and  his  honored  memory  is  the  town  of 
Norwalk's  honored  legacy.  This  was  one  of  the  most 
effective  tableaux  ever  shown  in  Norwalk,  and  elicited 
thunders  of  applause. 

The  young  ladies  who  took  part  were:  Misses 
Ethel  Wilcox,  Mary  Nash,  Elsie  Hill,  Gladys  Morehouse, 
Ethel  Ferris,  Hattie  Ferris.  Charlotte  Ferris,  Elsie  Cum- 
mings,  Marion  Cummings,  Emily  Nash,  Margaret 
O'Brien,  Anna  Curtis,  Blossom  Smith,  Edwina  Knapp, 
Abbie  Marvin,  Mary  Marvin,  Alice  O'Brien,  Alice  Ter- 
rell, Florence  Baldwin,  Alice  Darrow,  Mary  Seymour, 
Gertrude  Hotchkiss,  Elizabeth  Austin,  Mary  Betts, 
Hazel  Lockwood,  Eunice  Stevens,  Ruth  Golding. 

The  committee  in  charge  of  the  dramatic  work  was 


133 


Charles  Miller,  Mrs.  Charles  H  Naylor  and  Mrs.  James 
Stevens.  They  were  ably  assisted  by  Miss  Emily  Lynes. 
They  were  a  grand  and  unqualified  success,  and  will 
go  on  record  as  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  features  of 
the  celebration. 


123 


THIRD   DAY,  SEPTEMBER  ELEVENTH 

HE  events  appointed  for  this  day  were 
as  follows : 

1.  Historic  ride  by  trolley. 

2.  Afternoon   assembly  for  His- 
torical addresses. 

3.  Home   gathering  and   public 
speeches. 

The  first  event  was  given  in  honor 
of  the  invited  guests  of  the  town  and  was  under  direction 
of  the  Norwalk  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution,  of  which  Mrs.  Samuel  Richards  Weed  is  Re- 
gent. The  Historian,  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck,  accompanied 
the  party.  The  trolley  cars  were  gaily  decorated  and 
started  from  the  Armory  soon  after  9  a.  m.  The  points 
visited  were  as  follows: 

1  Benedict  House — Here  Gen.  Garth,  of  Tryon's  in- 
vading army,  in  1779,  left  his  wounded  men  until  his 
return  to  his  boats  at  Old  Well. 

2  Garth's   Magazine — Here  he  left  his  ammunition, 
while  on  his  destroying  march,  for  a  short  time — so 
claimed. 

3  Ponus's  Path — Led  to  the  Sachem  Ponus  Home,  in 
West  New  Canaan. 

4  Pynchon    Descendant's     House — Where    Margaret 
Pvnchon  Keeler  lived,  who  was  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  Connecticut  River  Tods,  so  called. 

5  La  Fayette's  Inn — Gen.  La  Fayette  here  stopped  and 
was  received  by  Norwalk  people,  in  1824. 

5  Madam  Knight's  Bridge — This  distinguished  trav- 
eler tells  of  this  bridge  at  "Whitney's  Mill,"  which 
she  crossed  early  in  the  i8th  century. 

7  The  "Old  Spring"  House — Where  resided  Capt.  Ja- 
bez  Gregory,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers. 

8  Home  of  the  Parents  of  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman,  from 
whence  they  started  to  find  their  home  in  Norwalk, 
Ohio. 

9  Site  Where  Jesse  Lee  Preached  His  First  Sermon 
in  Norwalk — He  was  the  founder  of  Methodism  in 
Connecticut. 

ic     The  Old  Whitney    House — Well  known    in    early 

Norwalk. 
ii     The  Residence  of  Relatives  of  Sir  Garnett  Wolesly, 

recent  commander-in-chief    of    the  army  of  'Great 

Britain. 

124 


12  Site  of  Old  Town    House — Before    Revolutionary 
War ;  do  not  know  date  of  its  building. 

13  Whitney's  Hill — Named  after  Henry  Whitney,  the 
ancient  Norwalk  miller. 

14  Whitney's  Plain — The  Norwalk  Green — called  after 
the  old  miller. 

15  Chancellor    Kent's    Schoolboy    Home — The    great 
jurist  here  lived  for  a  little  time  with  his  grandfather 
and  attended  school. 

\6  President  Timothy  D wight's  Ancestors'  Home — 
President  Dwight  here  visited,  and  he  received,  by 
inheritance,  Norwalk  land. 

17  Grumman's  Hill — On  East  Avenue,  where  General 
Tryon  sat  when  Norwalk  was  burned,  1779. 

1 8  Cannon  Home — Here  "Commodore"  John  Cannon 
lived. 

19  Site  of  Third  Meeting  House — Old  glass  has  here 
been  found,  the  remains  of  window  glazing.      Tryon 
burnt  the  church. 

20  Parsonage — Belonging     to     First    Congregational 
Church.     The  earliest. 

21  Colonel  Thomas  Fitch's  Home  Cottage — Bought  by 
Governor    Thomas  Fitch  while    his    son,    Colonel 
Thomas,  was  absent  to  the  Northern  wars. 

22  "Yankee  Doodle"  House — The  grounds — not  house 
— of  Colonel  Thomas  Fitch,  in  derision  of  whose 
scantily  and  varied  kind  of  uniform  the  verses  of 
"Yankee  Doodle"  were  composed  by  the  British. 

23  Gov.  Thomas  Fitch's'  Home — Lived  and  died  here. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  Governors  of  Connecticut. 

24  Site  of  Second  Meeting — On  "Meeting  House  Hill," 
now  site  of  residence    of    Rev.    Dr.    Augustus  F. 
Beard,  on  East  Avenue. 

25  Hon.  Samuel  Fitch's  Home  Cottage — The  timbers 
of  the  old  house  are  still  in  existence,  it  is  believed, 
and  retained. 

26  Site  of  First  Meeting  House — One  window — sup- 
posed to  have  been  inclosed  by  a  palisade  for  the 
protection  against  the  Indians. 

27  Rev.  Thomas  Hanford's  Home— Where  first  minis- 
ter lived — the  old  well  is  still  standing. 

28  Old  Cemetery — Where  the  town  settlers  were  buried 
— now  in  charge  of  the  Norwalks'  Historical  and 
Memorial  Library  Association,  by  authority  of  the 
Legislature. 


196 


29  Site   of   Old  Blacksmith    Shop— Remnants  of  iron 
have  been  found  here. 

30  Site  of  First  School  House — Here  the  children  of 
perhaps    the    second    generation    of    settlers    were 
taught. 

31  Fort    Point — An    Indian  fortification    against    the 
Dutch  and  Indians.     A  ferry  at  this  point  connected 
the  two  sides  of  Norwalk  river,  near  the  Railroad 
bridge. 

32  The  Roger  Ludlow  Monument — Marks  the  vicinity 
of  the  spot  where  the  purchase  of  the  site  was  ar- 
ranged by  Roger  Ludlow  in  1640. 

33  Landing  of  Tryon  on  the  shore — Now  marked  by  a 
stone  with  proper  inscription.     The  British  landed 
here  in  July  1779. 

34  Opening  shot  at  Garth's  Men — Fired  by  a  Raymond, 
it  is  supposed,  from  this  spot,  which  it  is  believed 
embittered  the  British  against  the  Americans. 

35  General  Sherman's    Ancestors'  Home — The    Hoyt 
house,  where  Mary  Hoyt,  mother  of  General  Wil- 
liam T.  and  Hon.  John  Sherman  was  born  and  lived 
until  her  marriage. 

The  ride  was  devised  by  Mrs.  Weed,  Regent  of  the 
Norwalk  Chapter,  in  response  to  a  call  from  the  Execu- 
tive'Committee  of  the  celebration,  and  was  thoroughly 
enjoyed  by  all  the  participants.  It  is  proper  to  add  that 
if  the  limit  had  been  extended  and  carriages  had  been 
substituted  for  trolley  cars,  the  number  of  historic  spots, 
including  several  which  have  been  marked  by  the  Nor- 
walk Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  could  easily  have  been  doubled. 

AFTERNOON  EXERCISES,  SEPT.  nth. 

In  the  Armory  on  the  afternoon  there  was  a  large 
audience.  Hon.  E.  J.  Hill  presided. 

MUSIC, Band 

NATIONAL  HYMN,     ....  To  Thee,  O  Country 

PRAYER, 

Rev.  Charles  A.  Downs. 

MUSIC, Band 

HISTORICAL  ADDRESS,  "The  Building  of  Norwalk." 

Rev.  Augustus  Field  Beard,  D.D. 

MUSIC,  .        .  ...        Star  Spangled  Baner 

POEM,  "A  Sweet  and  Hallowed  Time." 

Rev.  John  Gaylord  Davenport,  D.D. 

190 


ADDRESS, 

Hon.  Orville  H.  Pratt,  United  States  Senator,  Connecticut. 
ANTHEM, 

Composed  by  Mr.  Alexander  S.  Gibson. 
BENEDICTION. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

(By  Augustus  Field  Beard,  D.  D.) 

THE  BUILDING  OF  NORWALK. 

The  founders  of  Norwalk  were  not  an  aesthetic 
people,  but  they  must  have  recognized  and  rejoiced  in 
the  natural  beauty  of  their  location.  There  was  enough 
to  excite  the  admiration  of  the  pioneers  in  the  landscapes 
which  greeted  them — the  outlook  on  the  beautiful  inland 
sea,  with  the  islands  like  pearls  on  its  bosom,  the  in- 
dented shores  beckoning  the  crested  waves  and  setting 
the  bounds  to  their  welcome.  But  the  delightful  land- 
scapes of  'to-day  were  to  them  not  altogether  gladsome. 
Wild  nature  at  once  made  a  sharp  challenge  upon  their 
courage  and  patience.  Great  tracts  of  unbroken  wooded 
country  confronted  them.  In  the  openings  of  the  forest, 
weeds  and  thorns,  decaying  and  decayed  wood  from 
fallen  trees — the  debris  of  centuries — swamps  from  un- 
drained  land,  like  one  'vast  sponge,  hoarding  the  rains 
of  summer  and  treasuring  the  snows  of  winter,  asked 
for  something  other  than  pleasant  emotions  from  these 
rugged  men  and 'brave  women,  heroic  together  in  their 
faith  and  enterprise.  Here,  where  since  creation  no 
man  ever  built  a  home — unless  the  wigwam  of  the  rest- 
less Indian  might  be  called  a  home — came  thirty 
families  to  put  smiles  and  laughter  in  our  landscapes 
as  they  reclaimed  the  wilderness. 

Let  us  look  at  these,  our  ancestors.  To  ^lo  so  we 
must  remember  that  their  settlement  here  was  not  impro- 
vised when  they  came  from  Hartford  and  Windsor.  The 
events  'which  both  formed  their  characters  and  shaped 
their  history,  had  their  roots  extending  quite  as  widely 
into  times  before  their  day  as  the  branches  have  stretched 
out  since  they  came.  Great  'influences  had  been  work- 
ing in  patient  continuity  through  centuries,  never  halting 
in  God's  purpose  and  never  abrupt  in  their  movements, 
by  which  their  minds  were  met,  directed  and  prepared 

1ST 


for  the  events  which  asked  for  their  choices  and  their 
decisions.  Like  other  settlements  of  this  period,  the 
story  of  Norwalk  has  a  great  background  of  history. 

To  interrogate  it  no  further  back  than  when  our 
ancestors  were  children,  we  find  a  wonderful  age  of  men- 
tal activity  in  England,  which  had  its  far  beginnings  in 
the  renaissance — the  revival  of  learning — in  Europe. 
With  this  quickening  of  intellectual  life  came  a  new  intel- 
ligence, with  a  remarkable  succession  of  inventions  and 
discoveries,  and,  better  yet,  with  new  conceptions  of  life 
and  of  the  religious  freedom  and  responsibility  of  man, 
which  began  to  change  the  whole  order  of  society  and  to 
widen  the  whole  domain  of  thought  and  inquiry.  Eng- 
land especially  felt  this  new  mental  energy.  But  with 
this  quickening  of  popular  thought  came  conflict  be- 
tween the  old  tyrannies  over  the  minds  of  men  and  the 
new  forces  of  intelligence:  a  growing  demand  for  per- 
sonal, religious  and  political  liberty,  and  a  determined 
and  cruel  resistance  to  'this  demand,  which  in  the  time 
of  our  ancestors  made  the  pages  of  England  a  crimson 
history.  The  chariot  wheels  of  God  do  not  turn  back- 
ward, and  when  people  had  come  to  realize  that  the 
divine  right  of  many  not  only  is  better  but  also  has  bet- 
ter foundations  than  the  divine  right  of  any  one,  though 
he  may  be  seated  on  a  throne,  no  penalties  could  con- 
vince them  to  the  contrary,  and  exile  in  a  wilderness  in- 
habited only  by  savage  men  and  savage  beasts  seemed 
happiness  in  comparison  with  the  surrender  of  their  con- 
victions. It  was  this  spirit  which  peopled  the  rocky 
coasts  of  Plymouth  in  1620,  and  later  in  1630  sent  the 
succeeding  colonies  to  Salem,  Charlestown,  Boston, 
Watertown,  Mystic,  Dorchester  and  Lynn,  in  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay  Company,  with  its  seventeen  ships,  and 
John  Winthrop,  Governor,  and  Roger  Ludlow,  one  of 
the  Magistrates. 

The  leaders  of  this  Company  were  remarkable  men. 
Roger  Ludlow,  now  forty  years  of  age,  was  one  of  these 
leaders.  The  followers  were  not  quite  ordinary  men. 
They  were  men  of  strong  character,  picked  men,  though 
most  of  them  had  ordinary  attainments.  They  had  taken 
on  the  healthy  discontent  at  home.  They  had  been  in- 
oculated with  the  ideas  of  religious  freedom  and  politi- 
cal liberty.  They  saw 'no  future  for  themselves  or  their 
descendants  at  home.  They  came  here  for  a  future. 
Their  thoughts  went  beyond  the  present.  Nor  is  it 
necessary  to  believe  that  in  their  heavenly  considerations 

m 


they  were  altogether  oblivious  of  earthly  advantages. 
Not  a  few  of  those  who  hungered  and  thirsted  after 
righteousness  had  the  land  hunger  also,  and  were  willing 
to  work  for  both  together  in  the  wilderness.  They  could 
only  look  at  the  land  in  England ;  they  could  get  it  here. 
This  is  not  to  say  that  no  mere  adventurers  worked  them- 
selves in.  The  river  which  starts  from  the  pure  streams 
of  the  everlasting  hills,  on  its  onward  sweep  to  the  sea, 
always  bears  upon  it  not  only  the  rich  freights  of  com- 
merce, but  also  the  logs  and  rubbish  which  have  fallen 
in.  This  colonization,  however,  was  comparatively  free 
from  restless  and  unstable  elements. 

This  Bay  Colony  settled  mainly  in  Dorchester,  and 
here  Roger  Ludlow  lived  four  years.  He  was  honored 
in  Dorchester,  but  not  enough  for  his  ambitions.  Dis- 
appointed, he  turned  his  thoughts  to  the  formation  of  a 
Colony  on  the  Connecticut  River,  and  finally  gained  per-., 
mission  for  this.  Many  followed  him  in  this  new  emi- 
gration, and  after  a  fourteen  days'  journey — for  they  did 
not  take  the  express  trains,  which  now  make  it  in  four 
hours — they  came  to  their  destinations.  The  party 
divided,  some  choosing  Hartford,  some  Wethersfield, 
and  others  going  with  Ludlow  to  Windsor.  Here  he 
was  again  recognized  by  the  Connecticut  colony  for  his 
masterly  ability,  and  became  Deputy  Governor;  but 
feeling  that  he  was  not  recognized  enough,  after  four 
years  at  Windsor,  as  at  Dorchester,  he  sought  new  con- 
ditions. The  General  Court  at  Hartford  granted  him  a 
commission  to  begin  a  plantation  at  Pequannocke,  now 
Bridgeport.  Instead  of  doing  this  he  settled  at  what  is 
now  Fairfield,  giving  its  name.  For  exceeding  his  com- 
mission he  was  reprimanded  by  the  General  Court,  but 
his  purchase  was  confirmed,  and,  though  irregular,  was 
sagacious. 

On  February  26,  1640,  he  was  residing  in  Fairfield, 
for  it  was  then — apparently  on  his  own  personal  respon- 
sibility, also — that  he  purchased  from  the  Indians  of  Nor- 
walk  the  territory  which  now  constitutes  the  eastern  part 
of  it,  viz.:  "the  grounds  between  the  Twoe  Rivers,  the 
one  called  Norwalke,  the  other  Soakatuck  to  the  middle 
of  saved  Rivers  a  day's  walke  into  the  country." 

As  the  name  of  Roger  Ludlow  is  inseparably  con- 
nected with  the  beginnings  of  Nonvalk,  it  may  be  well  to 
follow  his  history.  He  was  either  Assistant  or  Deputy 
Governor  of  Connecticut  every  year  for  nineteen  years. 
In  1639  it  was  he  who  drew  the  Constitution  of  Connec- 

m 


ticut  under  which  our  fathers  lived,  which  continued  in 
force,  with  scarcely  any  alterations,  for  one  hundred  and 
eighty  years,  and  which  historians  unite  to  say  is  "the 
first  written  Constitution  known  to  history  which 
created  a  Government,"  and  which  made  Connecticut 
absolutely  a  State.  "It  embodied  all  the  essential  fea- 
tures of  subsequent  States,  and  gave  to  Connecticut  a 
pre-eminent  place  in  Constitutional  history."  This  Con- 
stitution received  its  chief  inspiration  from  the  greatest 
mind  in  Connecticut  at  this  time,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Hooker,  of  Hartford ;  but  it  called  for  the  first  legal  mind 
in  New  England  to  give  this  Constitution  form  and  ex- 
pression, and  justly  ranks  him  as  the  greatest  lawyer  in 
the  Colonies  and  among  the  leading  statesmen  of  his  age. 

On  the  2Oth  of  April  following  Ludlow's  purchase 
Capt.  Daniel  Patrick  secured  a  deed  from  the  Indians 
"from  the  middle  of  the  river  to  a  western  bound  called 
Noewanton,"  including  two  islands,  and  "as  farr  up  in 
the  country  as  an  Indian  can  goe  in  a  day,  from  sun 
risinge  to  sun  settinge."  This  Patrick,  a  soldier  by  pro- 
fession and  a  soldier  of  fortune  by  nature  and  character 
was  one  of  the  drifts  into  the  Bay  Colony  and  had 
drifted  here.  He  came  to  a  violent  death,  the  record 
reading:  "He  was  killed  by  a  Dutchman,  who  shot  him 
dead  with  a  pistol." 

Ludlow  held  his  purchase  for  ten  years,  when  he 
sold  it  to  the  founders  of  Norwalk  for  the  sum  of  £15, 
which  included  interest,  with  the  principal  for  his  ori- 
ginal outlay.  History  does  not  tell  us  who  may  have 
projected  the  settlement  of  Norwalk.  We  only  know 
that  Ludlow,  having  reserved  a  lot  for  his  sons,  young 
lads  at  this  date,  to  the  value  of  £200,  made  over  the  deed 
to  the  territory  here,  stipulating  that  the  plantation 
should  be  begun  within  a  given  time,  to  be  taken  up  by 
no  less  than  thirty  families,  and  that,  once  here,  they 
should  invite  an  orthodox  and  approved  minister  "with 
all  convenient  speed."  Moreover,  that  "they  will  not 
receive  in  any  that  they  be  obnoxious  to  the  publique 
good  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Connecticut."  These  con- 
ditions were  inserted  in  Ludlow's  deed  in  accordance 
with  a  Connecticut  law  at  that  time,  which  was  that  be- 
fore a  company  should  be  allowed  to  enter  upon  the  work 
of  a  new  settlement,  the  General  Court  required  that 
they  should  prove  themselves  capable  of  colonizing  a 
town  and  of  maintaining  a  minister. 

Nathaniel  Ely  and  Richard  Olmstead,  in  behalf  of 

180 


themselves  and  others,  at  a  session  of  the  General  Court 
of  Connecticut,  obtained  "approbation  of  the  Court  for 
the  planting  of  Norwalk,"  having  made  the  previous 
arrangement  with  Roger  Ludlow  for  his  interests  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river. 

Ludlow  continued  to  live  in  Fairfield  until  1654, 
when  for  raising  a  little  home-made  army  on  his  own 
account,  to  make  war  on  the  Dutch — a  rash  act  but  in- 
spired by  patriotism — he  again  incurred  the  displeasure 
of  the  General  Court  at  Hartford  and  again  received 
a  reprimand.  This,  and  the  fact  that  he  had  just  been 
fined  at  New  Haven  for  telling  a  woman  she  lied — 
which  was  probably  correct — and  for  suggesting  that  she 
was  a  witch — and  she  was  queer — made  him  particularly 
sore.  Feeling  that  he  was  unjustly  humiliated  and  had 
lost  his  prestige,  he  determined  to  return  to  England, 
which  he  did. 

Roger  Ludlow  possessed  many  elements  of  great- 
ness. He  was  a  man  of  political  sagacity  and  prophetic 
vision,  and  was  a  sound  exponent  of  political  and  re- 
ligious liberty.  The  fact  that  he  was  mentally  arbitrary, 
and  indisposed  to  allow  authority  to  stand  in  the  way  of 
his  personal  wishes,  stood  in  his  way,  and  in  the  way  of 
his  highest  ambitions.  When  he  left  the  colony  under 
a  sense  of  injury  and  disappointment,  he  also  left  it  under 
lasting  obligations  for  the  twenty-four  years  of  his  event- 
ful and  fruitful  life  in  it,  which  merit  and  will  have  the 
acknowledgments  of  candid  history. 

I  would  be  glad  if  I  could,  to  claim  so  famous  a 
man  as  Roger  Ludlow  as  the  founder  of  Norwalk.  All 
that  history  says  is,  that  Ludlow  purchased  of  the  Indians 
the  eastern  part 'of  Norwalk  and  resold  it  to  the  planters. 
Whatever  this  transaction  makes  him  in  relation  to  Nor- 
walk, that  he  was.  There  is  nothing  easier  to  believe 
than  that  we  would  like  to  believe.  He  certainly  is  en- 
titled to  be  called  the  Founder  of  Fairfield.  For  one  I 
am  not  gifted  with  sufficient  creative,  or  at  least,  interpre- 
tative imagination  to  enable  me  to  call  him  the  founder 
of  Norwalk. 

These  planters  also  obtained  a  confirmation  to 
themselves  of  Capt.  Patrick's  purchase,  and  on  the 
February  following,  secured  a  deed  from  Ruckineage 
and  other  Indians  for  an  additional  tract  west  of  Pat- 
rick's purchase  at  Routon. 

The  spring  of  1651  found  the  planters  on  their  way 
here,  with  their  slim  household  effects  and  their  cattle. 

m 


The  women  rode  on  horses,  the  men  tramped,  and  all 
encamped  where  night  overtook  them,  until  they 
reached  this  promised  land.  Tradition — which  >is  doubt- 
less well  founded — has  it,  that  they  were  welcomed  by 
some  who  had  spent  the  previous  winter  here,  anticipat- 
ing the  necessities  of  the  company.  They  were  as  to  age 
mostly  in  middle  life.  They  were  families.  Of  those 
fearless  women  who  bore  their  husbands'  names  history  is 
silent.  It  were  fairer  history  had  it  told  us  something 
of  the  fairer  part  of  that  company  who  bore  their  full 
share  in  the  sacrifices  of  those  early  days,  and  without 
whom  the  settlement  here  would  have  been  impossible. 

These  Nor  walk  planters  did  not  have  among  them 
eminent  men.  They  were  simply  honest,  earnest  Eng- 
lishmen and  women,  who  in  their  early  years  had  shown 
character  and  resolution  enough  to  break  with  hostile 
conditions,  and  to  leave  a  land  that  was  unkind.  Hoi- 
lister — the  historian  of  Connecticut — finds,  however,  that 
"more  than  four-fifths  of  the  early  landed  proprietors  of 
Hartford,  Wethersfield  and  Windsor" — whence  came  our 
ancestors — "belonged  to  families  which  had  arms  granted 
to  them  in  Great  Britain."  Whatever  their  ancestry, 
they  were  here  battling  with  nature,  making  for  them- 
selves not  the  records  of  family  pedigree,  but  the  patents 
of  extraordinary  history.  Their  home  discontent  was 
quickened,  no  doubt,  by  the  instinct  of  colonization, 
which  is  natural  to  many,  and  which  enables  us  to  under- 
stand in  part,  why  it  was,  that  after  previous  settlements 
had  become  comfortable,  so  many  were  moved  to  leave 
them  and  to  penetrate  anew  into  the  deeper  wilderness 
west.  It  was  the  stirring  of  that  same  instinct  which  has 
ever  since  been  whispering  of  boundless  possibilities  fur- 
ther on,  in  the  magic  words  "go  west,"  and  which  begin- 
ning with  the  Pilgrims,  has  belted  the  continent  with 
their  descendants  and  their  ideas.  Our  ancestors  read  in 
their  Bibles — their  one  book,  which  they  literally  ac- 
cepted— "The  earth  is  the  Lord's."  They  had  the  assur- 
ance that  they  were  the  Lord's  people.  They  read,  "The 
meek  shall  inherit  the  earth,"  and  they  appropriated  both 
the  text  and  the  territory. 

The  names  of  Norwalk's  founders  are  in  the  ancient 
records.  Among  them  are  some  very  familiar  now: 
Fitch,  Marvin,  Gregory,  Hoyt,  Bouton,  Ely,  Holmes. 
Keeler,  Morgan,  Olmstead,  Richards,  St.  John,  Seymour, 
and,  a  little  later,  Benedict,  Betts,  Belden,  Church,  Com- 

i* 


stock,  Ketcham,  Lockwood,  Nash,  Raymond,  Stewart 
and  Taylor. 

Once  here  and  organized,  the  "Towne  Street"  was 
staked  out,  that  part  of  East  avenue  which  extends  from 
the  ancient  burial  ground  to  the  top  of  Earl  Hill.  Home 
lots  were  assigned,  other  land  being  held  in  common. 
The  limitation  of  about  four  acres  was  for  the  sake  of 
compactness  and  common  safety.  It  is  pleasant  for  us 
to  be  able  accurately  to  locate  these  early  homes. 

The  building  of  their  shelters  was  the  first  necessity. 
This  meant  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  the  forests.  The 
trees  swayed  and  fell,  but  with  their  departed  pride  came 
their  usefulness.  Log  upon  log  the  little  cabin  struc- 
tures arose.  The  floors,  when  not  of  the  solid  earth, 
were  of  split  logs  as  smooth  as  their  axes  could  hew 
them.  The  seed  for  the  next  season  must  be  got  into  the 
ground  as  soon  as  the  patches  could  be  made  ready. 
These  were  busy  days.  Meanwhile  the  vvomen  were  not 
meeting  in  their  respective  clubs.  They  were  "stepping 
lively"  at  home.  These  men  did  not  convert  trees  into 
habitations  living  on  faith  only.  The  inner  man  could 
have  faith,  but  it  took  the  outer  man  to  swing  an  axe 
and  to  dig  the  soil  that  never  had  been  disturbed  since 
it  was  created;  and  the  outer  man  called  for  his  break- 
fast, dinner  and  supper.  Besides,  everyone  knows  that 
eating  is  one  of  the  English  traits.  It  was  already  a 
characteristic  before  1651.  Their  meals  were  not  served 
in  course,  but  they  were  served  of  course,  and  if  not 
elaborate,  yet  were  substantial  that  iron  might  be  in  the 
blood  of  these  hungry  English  pioneers.  The  next  door 
neighbor  of  this  new  settlement  was  Stamford,  ten  years 
old.  New  Haven,  also,  where  Davenport  had  led  his 
followers  thirteen  years  before  this  settlement,  was  ac- 
cessible. There  could,  therefore,  be  some  trading  from 
the  first. 

We  read,  for  example,  in  our  town  records,  that  a 
corn  mill,  which  had  been  erected  almost  immediately, 
did  not  prove  satisfactory,  and  that  in  1654  it  was  voted 
to  discontinue  it.  There  had  been  a  grist  mill  in  Stam- 
ford for  nearly  ten  years.  The  planters  were  thus  tided 
over  the  bars  until  three  years  later  a  second  corn  mill 
was  erected,  which  answered  until  a  third  one  was  pro- 
vided. 

After  the  dwellings  and  the  absolute  and  immediate 
provisions  for  life  were  assured,  they  turned  their  first 
attention  to  the  erection  of  a  "meeting  house." 

188 


theory  was  that  the  people  themselves  were  the  church, 
and  the  meeting  house  was  for  the  people.  Without 
stretching  their  logic  much,  'they  came  to  think  when 
they  met  in  it,  to  transact  town  business,  that  this  was 
church  work.  Accordingly,  on  the  22d  'of  May,  1655, 
after  four  years  of  meetings  with  Rev.  Thomas  Hanford, 
preaching  where  he  might,  they  voted  "to  send  after  the 
nayles  for  the  meeting  house  with  all  speed."  Their 
idea  of  speed,  or  at  least  their  realization  of  it,  may  be 
noted  from  the  fact  that  three  years  and  eight  months 
subsequent,  the  meeting  house  was  yet  only  an  idea. 
One  cannot  drive  ''nayles"  into  an  idea  nor  into  a  vote. 
The  meeting  house,  however,  became  a  reality,  "thirty 
foot  in  length  and  eighteen  foot  in  width." 

As  the  years  rolled  on  the  wilderness  was  incessantly 
invaded  by  these  determined  workers.  Lots  as  they  were 
reclaimed  were  planted  and  fenced,  orchards  were  begun, 
gardens  were  cultivated.  The  rude  log  cabins  with  their 
oil-papered  windows  gave  way  to  framed  houses  with 
massive  timbers,  with  two  rooms  on  the  lower  floor  and 
the  great  stone  chimney  in  the  centre,  and  little  diamond- 
shaped  glass  windows.  Those  within  the  house  were 
patient  workers  also.  We  read  of  no  servants  in  the  kit- 
chens. The  "lady  of  the  house"  was  cook,  laundress, 
soap  maker,  candle  maker,  tailoress,  dressmaker,  shirt 
maker,  stocking  knitter  and  general  repairer,  and  there 
were  growing  children  in  the  family.  The  Indian  bread 
and  corn  'bread,  the  samp  and  hominy,  the  succotash — 
the  art  of  which  they  had  learned  from  the  Indians — the 
bean  soup  or  porridge,  the  hasty  corn  puddings  for  the 
table,  repeated  their  invitations  three  times  a  day  for 
seven  days  in  the  week.  For  meats  there  was  wild  game 
galore.  Wild  turkeys,  partridges,  quails,  wild  geese  and 
pigeons  in  their  seasont  and  wild  ducks,  with  bear  meat 
and  venison — which  were  abundant — helped  to  spare  the 
lives  of  their  sheep,  swine  and  poultry.  Wild  straw- 
berries and  blackberries,  whortleberries  and  wild  grapes 
were  plentiful.  The  fish  of  the  streams  and  the  fish  of 
the  salt  water,  bluefish — and  especially  bass — were  easily 
obtained,  and  the  shellfish,  to  which  we  are  accustomed, 
were  found  in  rich  abundance.  Then  there  was  the  wool 
to  be  carded  and  spun,  the  flax  to  be  rotted,  hackled  and 
dressed  for  their  own  weaving.  As  the  cloth  gave  out, 
many  a  lad  and  man  wore  his  daily  garments,  in  the  style 
of  short  clothes,  made  of  the  skins  of  animals ;  made  at 
home  and  often  "fearfully  and  wonderfully  made." 


184 


Preparing  tea  and  coffee,  however,  did  not  add  to 
the  household  burdens.  There  were  neither  of  these  in 
Norwalk  for  a  hundred  years  to  come,  and  among  their 
vegetables,  probably  the  potato,  a  rare  vegetable  as  yet, 
had  no  place.  Their  pewter  plates  and  dishes  must  be 
made  to  shine  like  silver,  but  they  were  spared  the  neces- 
sity of  care  for^  their  forks,  since  they  never  saw  one. 
Nor  was  much  time  used  in  millinery.  Hoods  and  sun- 
bonnets  went  with  them  to  the  meeting  house  and  home- 
spun was  correct  fashion.  Calico  was  as  costly  as  silk. 

I  have  not  mentioned  their  special  environments. 
Wolves  were  not  dangerous,  but  they  were  troublesome. 
Bears  would  have  been  unwelcome  neighbors  but  for 
the  fact  that  they  could  be  made  serviceable.  The  In- 
dians were  relatively  few,  numbering  about  six  thousand 
in  the  entire  State,  or  twelve  hundred  warriors.  Those 
in  Norwalk  were  ready  for  friendly  alliance  with  the  set- 
tlers. Some  entered  the  service  of  these  English  far- 
mers, learning  meanwhile  the  English  tongue.  One 
Norwalk  Indian  did  this  to  good  purpose,  namely, 
Cockanoe,  who  taught  his  Indian  language  to  the  great 
Indian  apostle  Eliot.  I  quote  Eliot's  own  testimony: 
"I  found  a  pregnant-witted  young  man  who  had  been 
a  servant  in  an  English  house,  who  pretty  well  under- 
stood our  language,  and  well  understood  his  own,  and 
hath  a  clear  pronunciation.  Him  I  made  my  interpre- 
ter. By  his  help  I  translated  the  Commandments  and 
many  texts  of  Scripture."  Peaceable  as  the  Norwalk 
Indians  were,  they  were -nevertheless  Indians,  and  the 
weapons  of  our  ancestors  were  ever  ready  in  the  field 
and  in  the  house  of  worship. 

So  far  as  the  records  show,  the  subject  of  education 
did  not  greatly  add  to  the  burdens  of  the  people.  One 
generation  probably  had  to  content  itself  with  such  in- 
struction as  could  be 'acquired  at  home.  There  may  pos- 
sibly have  been  public  instruction  previous  to  the  time 
of  the  first  record  of  it,  but  twenty-seven  years  had 
passed  before  the  vote  is  recorded,  that  Mr.  Cornish  was 
engaged  "to  teach  all  the  children  to  lerne  to  read  and 
write."  It  does  not  appear  that  the  gentle  art  of  spelling 
had  then  been  discovered.  The  spelling  of  their  records 
was  according  to  the  moods  of  the  one  who  made  words 
his  agents,  but  would  not  submit  to  their  being  his  mas- 
ter. Almost 'any  combination  would  do,  with  a  supreme 
indifference  as  to  how  the  words  came  out,  and  if  they 
were  never  twice  alike,  as  they  seldom  were,  it  only  added 

185 


to  the  interest  in  the  way  of  a  pleasurable  variety.  In 
1686  Mr.  Cornish  was  again  "hiered  for  that  cervice." 
There  was  a  school  law  made  by  the  General  Court  in 
1644,  for  all' the  settlements  in  the  colony,  "That  every 
township,  after  the  Lord  hath  increased  them  to  the  num- 
ber of  fifty  households,  shall  forthwith  appoint  one  to 
teach  all  such  children,  as  shall  resort  to  him,  to  read 
and  write,  and  when  any  town  shall  increase  to  the  num- 
ber of  one  hundred  families,  they  shall  set  up  a  grammar 
school."  You  may  imagine  the  school  house  of  those 
days,  twenty  feet  square — with  a  fireplace — the  pupils 
seated  on  benches  made  of  slabs,  suppoited  by  straddling 
wooden  legs  set  into  augur  holes.  Few  of  the  children 
had  books.  Blackboards  they  never  saw.  The  ink  usu- 
ally was  made  of  soot  and  vinegar,  and  the  ink  bottle  of 
leather.  The  main  text  book  was  the  Bible,  but  they  had 
lessons  in  ancient  and  general  history  so  far  as  to  learn, 
that 

"In  Adam's  fall 
We  sin-ned  all." 

There  were  in  the  settlement  at  this  time  one  hundred 
and  thirteen  children. 

In  1681  the  second  meeting  house,  "forty  foot  square 
and  sixteene  foot  between  joynts,"  the  great  geographical 
monument  of  the  town — as  our  Town  House  now  is — 
was  erected,  and  Thomas  Barnum  was  "appoynted  for  to 
over  see  and  keep  good  Decorum  amongst  the  youth 
in  times  of  exercise  on  the  Sabbath  and  other  Publique 
meetings,  and  the  Towne  doe  impower  him  if  he  see 
any  disorderly  for  to  keep  a  small  stick  to  correct  with, 
oneley  he  is  Desired  to  do  it  with  Clemency."  At  the 
end  of  the  first  thirty  years  the  one  street,  then  but  little 
more  than  a  cart  path,  had  not  extended  from  the  ceme- 
tery beyond  the  top  of  Earl  Hill,  and  the  Indian's  trails 
were  the  white  man's  highways. 

We  may  remember  also  that  during  all  this  period 
there  was  not  what  we  call  a  store  of  'any  kind  in  the 
settlement.  It  was  the  age  of  barter.  We  read  neither 
of  a  physician,  lawyer  or  dentist. 

At  this  period  there  were  twenty-five  settled  towns 
in  Connecticut,  with  twenty-one  churches. 

In  1694 — forty-three  years  after  the  settlement — the 
names  of  fourteen  of  the  founders  still  appear  on  the  re- 
cords. The  Rev.  Thomas  Hanford  had  finished  his  min- 
istry of  forty-one  years  and  had  died  in  1693.  Mrs.  Han- 

186 


ford  lived  until  1730,  and  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
years.  When  fifty  years  had  ended,  the  little  compact 
settlement  had  gradually  expanded  up  the  river  towards 
the  bridge  and  the  mill — over  the  river  at  the  "Old  Well" 
and  towards  New  Canaan  and  Saugatuck.  The  paths 
were  being  worked  into  roads  rough  and  rocky.  The 
children  and  grandchildren  of  the  founders  were  now  the 
social  forces. 

With  the  year  1700  we  may  say  that  the  pioneer 
stage  had  ended.  I  have  spent  time  upon  it,  because 
the  original  stamp  is  not  obliterated  and  the  type  is  per- 
sistent. I  meet  men  now  in  Norwalk  whom  I  think  the 
fathers  would  immediately  recognize  as  the  seventh  or 
eighth  editions  of  the  original,  the  same  text  in  modern 
binding. 

As  the  outward  circumstances  of  the  people  gradu- 
ally improved,  society  took  on  another  cast.  The  out- 
side world  was  coming  nearer.  Boston,  with  now  a 
population  of  17,000  and  New  York  a  large  village,  were 
accessible.  In  1721  the  first  newspaper  was  published 
in  New  York.  Travel  between  Boston  and  New  York 
now  and  then  enlivened  the  isolated  life  of  the  town. 
Norwalk  was  getting  out  of  the  woods.  In  1723  the 
third  meeting  house  was  erected  on  the  same  street  still 
further  north.  Soon  the  town  granted  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Saugatuck  permission  to  have  their  own  min- 
ister, and  a  little  later  the  same  liberty  to  New  Canaan, 
and  1734  to  the  "Professors  of  the  Church  of  England," 
freeing  them  from  all  obligation  to  the  "Ancient  Prime 
Society." 

The  houses  at  this  time  were  "indifferent" — gener- 
ally a  story  and  a  half  in  front  and  sloping  to  the  rear  to 
within  six  or  eight  feet  of  the  ground.  But  if  there  were 
as  yet  no  colonial  mansions  in  Norwalk,  there  were  grow- 
ing up  some  notable  children.  Thomas  Fitch,  grandson 
of  the  first  Thomas— original  settler— had  entered  the 
young  Yale  College,  not  yet  out  of  its  own  teens,  and 
was  graduated  in  1721.  He  studied  theology,  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  did  preach  in  his  home  church 
several  times.  For  some  reason  he  directed  his  atten- 
tion to  law  and  civil  government  and  became  eminent 
as  chief  justice  of  the  colony,  Lieutenant-Governor  of 
the  Colony,  and  afterwards  Governor  for  a  period  of 
twelve  years,  from  1754  to  1766.  When  the  odiouj 
stamp  act  was  'being  considered  by  the  British  Parlia- 
ment, and  the  news  reached  Hartford,  the  General  As- 

187 


sembly  ordered  a  document  to  be  prepared,  protesting 
against  the  measure.  This  was  drawn  up  by  Governor 
Fitch  in  a  paper  of  great  clearness,  insisting  upon  the 
light  of  the  colonies  to  tax  themselves,  and  "shows," 
says  Hollister,  "an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  British  Constitution  and  the  rights  of  the 
v  subject  under  it  that  is  unsurpassed  by  any  paper  origin- 
ating in  any  other  colony  during  that  exciting  period." 
If  Governor  Fitch  did  not  live  to  share  in  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  he  was  yet  one  of  the  fathers  of  it. 

There  was  also  his  greatly  distinguished  son,  who 
figured  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  from  1754  to 
1763 — in  which  Norwalk's  patriotic  grandsons  of  the  first 
settlers  had  a  full  share  of  service,  at  Cape  Breton,  Louis- 
burg,  Montmorenci  and  Crown  Point.  While  Governor 
Fitch  was  honoring  his  native  town  as  the  head  of  the 
Connecticut  colony,  his  son,  Col.  Thomas  Fitch,  was 
leading  his  soldiers  in  the  battle  of  Crown  Point.  Sel- 
leck's  history  is  my  authority  for  saying  that  while  he 
was  thus  engaged,  an  English  official,  in  derision  of  the 
appearance  of  his  Continental  command  near  East  Al- 
bany, wrote  the  jargon  which  has  become  national — 

"Yankee  Doodle  came  to  town 
Riding  on  a  pony," 

and  it  is  the  historian's  personal    conviction    that    the 
horse  thus  made  immortal  also  came  from'Norwalk. 

The  boyhood  neighbor  of  Col.  Fitch,  and  who  mar- 
ried his  sister,  was  another  descendant  of '  Capt.  John 
Thacher,  who  commanded  with  great  valor  the  galley 
"Lady  Washington"  in  the  battle  of  Lake  Champlain, 
and  who  being  wounded  and  captured  by  the  British, 
had  his  sword  returned  to  him  in  recognition  of  his 
bravery. 

Thus  the  development  of  the  colonies — and  of  the 
town — was  going  on,  and  with  it  the  unconscious,  but 
steady,  evolution  of  the  Englishman  into  the  'Yankee, 
with  their  fundamental  differentiations.  The  climate, 
the  abrogation  of  the  caste  feeling  which  lives  upon  rank 
and  titles,  continued  to  evolve  a  distinctive  spirit  and 
traits.  Environment  was  changing  the  characteristics 
or  heredity.  The  English  face  and  features  were  passing 
and  the  special  qualities  of  the  American  appeared.  The 
contentions,  which  had  been  somewhat  sharp,  between 
the  motherland  and  the  colonies  had  already  slackened 


188 


the  loyalty  of  many,  so  that  they  were  not  unready  in 
spirit  and  temper  for  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
in  1776,  when  the  evolution  of  the  Englishman  into  the 
Yankee  was  completed. 

This  colonial  period  of  transition  has  much  of 
interest  in  it,  as  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  the  old 
world  came  to  the  new. 

The 'church  was  still  the  germ  of  the  town  and  in 
the  meeting  house  the  people  were  still  divided  in  their 
worship  as  they  were  in  the  days  of  their  fathers.  The 
old  men  in  one  place,  the  old  dames  in  another,  the 
young  men  and  maidens  prudently  removed  far  apart, 
nourished  their  faith  and  their  principles. 

They  took  their  time  for  it.     There,  in  the  presence 
of  Almighty  God,  it  was  not  for  man  to  be  in  haste.     Not 
for  short  prayers  nor  short  sermons  did  they  congre- 
gate.    They    settled    themselves    down    for    a    regular 
religious  siege,  which  would  not  be  raised  for  three  or 
five  hours.     Sermons  and  prayers  in  our  day  are  not  of 
this  longtitude,  but  the  sermons  now  are  much  wider  in 
latitude.     They    are    shorter    and    sometimes    thinner. 
These  people  did  not  come  to  the  church  for  mental  di- 
version, nor  for  oratory.     They  were  there  for  instruc- 
tion,   for   an   educative,   thorough-going  discussion   of 
great  themes.     They  had  no  use  for  sermonets.    With- 
out newspapers,  lectures  or  modern  entertainments,  the 
sermon  had  no  competitor,  and  because  of  the  emphasis 
put  upon  it,  it  must  not  be  weak  nor  little.    It  must  not 
deal  with  little  themes.     It  must  be  large  and  strong. 
The  meeting-house  in  Norwalk  never  lacked    hearers 
who  demanded  this,  and  its  ministers  were  men  of  such 
brain  power  and  moral  earnestness  that  the  history  of 
these  days  in  the  town  is  honorable.     Nevertheless,  with 
all  their  virtues,  I  cannot  say  that  these  early  ministers 
were  more  loyal  to  duty  or  to  the  spirit  of  true  religion 
than  are  their  successors  of  to-day,  in  the  more  complex 
and  perhaps  less  appreciated  Christian  service    of   our 
time. 

Their  meeting-house  never  knew  the  heat  of  any  fire 
except  that  which  was  in  the  minister's  theology.  That 
was  sufficient  even  when  the  mercury  hovered  about  zero. 
When  the  era  of  the  beautiful  colonial  architecture 
came  in,  it  did  not  put  itself  greatly  in  evidence  in  Nor- 
walk. Nevertheless  the  furnishings  of  the  homes  when 
wealth  had  come  were  made  richer.  Brassware  supple- 
mented the  English  pewter.  Mahogany  was  the  new 

139 


furniture,  sideboards  with  curving  fronts,  swell-front 
bureaus,  long,  oval  mirrors,  bedsteads  with  arched 
canopy  frames,  while  the  tankards  were  put  aside  for 
fluted  decanters  and  wineglasses.  A  new  social  eti- 
quette and  stately  manners  were  affected.  The  table  was 
graced  with  silver  spoons,  and  forks  had  been  introduced. 
Tea  costing  several  dollars  a  pound  and  coffee  and  choco- 
late appealed  to  new  tastes  on  special  occasions.  Tin- 
ware was  displacing  the  earthenware  crockery  and  cook- 
ing grew  to  be  a  fine  art.  Even  now  in  its  decadence, 
there  are  echoes  of  it  that  could  well-nigh  convert  one 
to  the  theory  that  the  days  of  'glory  were  in  the  past. 
Those  mercies  have  gone  from  the  sight  and  tas'te  of 
men  now  living.  When  our  grandmothers  went  to  hea- 
ven they  took  the  secret  with  them. 

We  find  that  the  sfhools  at  this  time  had  increased 
their  studies.  Arithmetic,  through  decimal  fractions  to 
the  climax  of  the  "rule  of  three,"  was  added,  and  con- 
siderably later,  grammar  as  a  study,  and  algebra,  and 
the  elements  of  geometry.  Geography  was  not  taught 
until  nearly  the  end  of  the  century.  Those  who  were 
preparing  for  a  liberal  education  sought  the  tuition  of 
the  minister. 

In  the  way  of  trade  and  commerce  the  custom  of 
barter  had  yielded  to  the  more  complex  organization  of 
society.  There  was  a  freer  circulation  of  money  and 
there  were  stores  and  shops  in  Norwalk.  Two-wheeled 
carriages,  called  chaises,  were  in  town  in  1750.  New 
York  held  a  direct  trade  with  Europe,  and  vessels  from 
our  harbor  knew  the  way  to  New  York.  Among  those 
whose  ambitions  tended  to  social  distinctions  fashion 
was  not  a  little  bit  of  a  god  even  then.  Ruffles  and  em- 
broideries, silk  gloves,  white  silk  stockings,  poplin  and 
gauze  fans  and  ribbons,  with  gold  and  silver  ornaments 
were  all  here.  This  also  was  the  era  of  wonderful 
stitching,  from  the  samplers  up  to  the  marvelous  illus- 
trations of  what  could  be  done  with  a  needle.  Mean- 
while— as  in  the  later  days  of  the  pioneer  period — the 
shoemaker  went  from  house  to  house,  the  tailor  like- 
wise, to  cut,  fit  and  make  the  clothing — the  cooper  to 
make  and  hoop  barrels  for  the  cider  and  the  soap,  and 
barrels  for  beef  and  barrels  for  pork.  Even  in  this 
colonial  stage  individualism  had  enough  to  satisfy  itself. 
Each  home  had  its  ceaseless  industries.  The 'pork  and 
hams  and  sides  of  bacon  and  tongues  must  be  preserved 
for  winter  use.  The  sheep  were  sheared  at  'home ;  the 

140 


wool  carded  and  woven  at  home.  The  flax  was  made 
ready  for  spinning  at  home.  The  skilful  woman  could 
spin  two  threads  with  one  hand  while  the  foot  kept  the 
treadle  of  the  flax  wheel  moving  and  a  baby  slept  in  her 
lap,  and  could  look  as  pretty  as  a  picture  while  doing  it. 

Matters  were  after  this  manner  when  the  warnings 
of  war  were  heard  in  Norwalk.  It  was  Thaddeus  Betts 
— a  descendant  of  the  pioneer — who  made  application  to 
the  General  Assembly  in  behalf  of  the  town  for  six  can- 
non. He  procured  them  "with  a  hundred  round  shot 
to  suit  them  and  grape  shot  in  proportion.'' 

As  the  war  came  near  to 'our  coasts,  the  exposed 
location  gave  the  people  especial  reason  for  alarm. 
What  they  feared  came.  British  soldiers  under  General 
Tryon,  and  hired 'Hessians  under  General  Garth,  on  July 
7th"  burned  to  the  ground  the  neighboring  town  of  Fair- 
field.  Norwalk  next  was  the  expectation,  and  such 
small  household  goods  as  could  be  concealed  were  hid- 
den away.  Governor  Trumbull  ordered  the  continental 
troops  at  New  London  to  "hasten  to  Norwalk  with  all 
possible  dispatch,"  but  before  the  orders  were  received 
Norwalk  was  in  ashes.  These  house-burners  landed  oq 
both  sides  of  the  river — at  "Fitch's  Point"  and  at  "Old 
Well" — on  Saturday  afternoon  'of  July  loth,  and  with 
the  light  of  the  Lord's  day,  July  nth,  they  were  seen 
concentrating  at  "Grummon's  Hill.''  There  Tryon  sat 
overlooking  the  town,  safe  with  his  2,500  soldiers  against 
a  few  continental  companies,  while  he  wrote  his  orders. 
At  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  torches  were  lighted 
and  eighty  dwelling-houses  (some  accounts  say  132),  the 
two  churches,  87  barns,  22  storehouses,  17  shops,  4  mills 
and  5  vessels  were  consumed,  together  with  the  crops  of 
hay  and  wheat  which  had  been  gathered.  The  general, 
who  never  distinguished  himself  by  any  nobler  or  more 
dangerous  service  than  this,  then  left  what  had  been  the 
town  and  left  his  record. 

The  next  winter,  uncommonly  severe,  came  to  these 
largely  houseless  people  without  adequate  provisions 
and  in  great  privations.  Poverty  was  the  common  lot. 
The  ordinary  necessities  of  life  were  only  to  be  secured 
by  almost  prohibitory  prices.  Salt  was  $27.00  a  bushel, 
molasses  $20.00  a  gallon. 

It  was  lived  through,  however,  and  there  are  those 
in  this  presence  who  have  heard  the  story  of  it  directly 
from  those  who  could  say,  "all  of  which  I  saw  and  a  part 
of  which  I  experienced."  Two  years  later,  in  October, 

141 


1781,  down  in  Virginia,  the  end  came.  With  the  surren- 
der the  British  drums  beat  the  air  'The  world's  turned 
topsy-turvy,"  and  Lord  Cornwallis  thought  it  had.  In- 
deed it  had. 

While  the  great  body  of  the  people  had  been  willing 
to  bring  about  this  issue,  the  element  loyal  to  the  British 
government  was  much  more  troublesome  than  current 
history  shows.  To  some,  the  allegiance  to  England 
was  a  matter  of  Church,  to  others  of  conservatism,  and 
to  others  of  a  cowardly  confidence  that  Great  Britain 
would  win,  and  that  they  would  be  present  when  the 
band-wagon  would  come  to  town.  These  were  those 
who  secretly  aided  the  British  and  betrayed  their  own 
neighbors.  Norwalk  had  all  kinds.  After  independence 
was  secured,  those  who  did  not  remove,  inherited  the 
"Fourth  of  July"  with  as  good  grace  as  necessity  re- 
quired. Now,  after  a  century  and  a  quarter,  the  records 
of  this  part  of  our  history  may  well  be  forgotten. 

With  the  triumph  of  the  war,  Norwalk  shared  in 
the  new  impulse  which  came  to  the  State  and  to  the 
country.  The  war  had  been  a  great  educator.  Com- 
merce took  on  new  enterprises.  Private  ventures  were 
bolder  and  more  successful.  The  battles  for  freedom 
had  shown  to  the  people  the  inconsistency  of  slavery, 
and  all  slaves  born  after  1784  were  declared  free.  At 
this  time  there  were  forty-one  slaves  in  Norwalk. 

With  the  year  1800,  not  all  the  losses  had  been  re- 
covered, but  the  town  was  flourishing  in  a  quiet  way 
with  a  population  of  5,105  people,  including  Wilton  and 
New  Canaan  yet  in  the  bounds  of  Norwalk. 

We  come  now  to  the  Nineteenth  Century  stage. 
There  are  persons  now  living  in  Norwalk  whose  years 
have  compassed  nearly  all  of  the  last  century.  We  have 
heard  them  tell  of  the  wonderful  changes  in  their  day. 
This  past  is  so  near  to  us  that  we  may  not  dwell  upon  it. 

In  1812  came  the  set-back  of  the  embargo  and  of 
the  blockade  of  our  own  harbor,  but  with  the  ending 
of  the  war  in  1815,  the  British  ships  left  the  Sound  and 
the  people  were  free  again  to  work  out  the  blessings  of 
peace. 

In  1824  the  first  steamboat — the  General  Lafayette 
— was  making  its  trips  from  New  York  to  Old  Well, 
when  one  could  go  to  New  York  in  one  day  and  posi- 
tively return  the  next  day.  The  railroad,  whose  whistle 
echoed  the  tune  "The  world's  turned  topsy-turvy,"  be- 

149 


gan  the  change  of  the  center  of  gravity  in  Norwalk  to 
the  west  end  in  1848. 

We  parted  with  New  Canaan  in  1801.  It  was 
named  after  the  Canaan  which  in  Bible  times  flowed 
with  milk  and  honey,  and  doubtless  because  it  was  sup- 
posed that  from  its  hilltops  the  people  would  be  nearer 
the  New  Jerusalem  than  they  could  be  at  tide-water. 
Wilton  became  a  separate  town  in  1802,  and  Westport 
in  1835. 

The  year  1860  brought  the  event  of  that  century  in 
our  nation's  history.  Those  who  had  been  mourning 
the  decay  of  patriotism  and  were  piping  their  pessimistic 
strains  because  in  the  material  changes  and  great 
growths  of  luxury  the  children  of  to-day  had  become 
degenerate  sons  of  those  noble  sires  who  had  left  us  their 
precious  legacy  of  freedom,  were  amazed  to  discover 
how  their  eyes  had  been  holden  that  they  should  have 
seen 'only  the  surfaces  of  life. 

The  elders  here  well  remember  what  answer  was 
made  when  the  Government  called.  The  record  of  Nor- 
walk in  that  life  and  death  struggle,  which  did  not  pause 
nor  hesitate  until  the  national  unity  was  forever  secured, 
and  slavery  abolished  forever,  was  worthy  of  the  men 
and  women  of  1651  and  1776. 

We  are  now  standing  before  the  questions  of  the 
twentieth  century.  In  all  this  past  local  history  the  time 
could  be  spanned  by  three  successive  lives  of  eighty-three 
years  each.  This  brings  the  fathers  near  to  us,  but  how 
far  away  they  are  in  the  changes  which  the  years  have 
wrought.  It  has  come  to  pass  that  we  can  no  longer 
isolate  ourselves.  One's  home  may  be  in  Norwalk,  but 
he  belongs  to  the  world  and  the  world  belongs  to  him. 
We  are  not  only  heirs  to  the  people  of  1651  but  we  have 
the  inheritances  of  all  nations.  When  the  century  began 
which  has  just  closed  its  gates  upon  us,  John  Adams 
was  President  of  the  United  States  with  5,000,000  of 
people,  with  the  Mississippi  River  our  western  boundary, 
with  a  budget  of  receipts  and  expenses  one-tenth  that  of 
the  present"  city  of  New  York.  George  the  Third  was 
king  of  Great  Britain,  and  Napoleon  Bonaparte  the  first 
Consul  of  the  French  Republic.  The  people  of  the  fore- 
most nations  of  the  earth  were  reading  by  candle  light 
the  very  beginnings  of  the  sciences  of  the  chemical  and 
physical  properties  of  matter.  Most  of  the  work  of  the 
world  was  done  by  the  muscles  of  men  and  horses,  in- 
stead of  by  mechanical  power.  People  traveled  at  the 

148 


rate  of  six  miles  an  hour,  where  now  we  fret  at  forty 
miles  an  hour.  Then  an  interview  from  Norwalk  with 
a  man  at  Boston  would  take  three  weeks,  now  we  dis- 
patch it  over  the  telephone  in  five  minutes.  The  nine- 
teenth century  has  given  us  the  railroad,  the  steamship, 
the  telegraph,  the  photograph,  photo-engraving,  the  sew- 
ing machine,  the  reaper,  the  mower,  the  tremendous 
power  of  machinery  that  works  like  intelligence,  the  de- 
velopment of  manufactures,  the  electric  light,  the  trolley 
car  and  the  horseless  carriage.  It  has  given  us  the 
science  of  chemistry,  the  wonderful  advance  in  scientific 
medicine,  the  miracles  of  surgery,  the  new  domain  of 
physics,  the  theories  of  light  and  heat  and  energy,  the 
revelations  of  the  spectrum  analysis — the  X-rays — the 
achievements  of  astronomy  and  the  hypothesis  of  evolu- 
tion. It  has  given  us  archaeological  unfoldings  of 
people  who  lived  and  celebrated  their  anniversaries  six 
thousand  years  ago ;  the  geographical,  ethnological,  bio- 
logical sciences  with  their  new  worlds  for  the  coming 
generations  to  develop  and  to  conquer.  It  has  planted 
civilization  in  Japan  and  the  seeds  of  it  in  China.  It  has 
builded  universities  for  women  that  they  may  be 
scholars.  It  has  brought  us  a  new  literature,  a  new 
library  development  with  public  libraries  in  every  town 
not  already  in  its  grave  clothes.  It  has  been  a  strenuous 
century,  a  fruitful  century  in  which  every  town  and  per- 
son has  shared. 

We  look  out  upon  the  century  before  us  when  the 
wide  world  is  brought  to  our  vision  every  morning,  when 
people  cross  the  oceans  at  the  speed  of  500  miles  a  day, 
as  if  they  were  ferries,  when  we  flash  our  thoughts  dry 
shod  over  the  bed  of  the  sea  on  the  nerve  of  a  wire,  from 
continent  to  continent;  when  one  converses  with  an- 
other a  thousand  miles  away  as  if  they  were  face  to  face. 

In  1651  the  age  was  narrow  and  the  people  were 
narrow,  but  they  were  broader  than  their  times. 
They  turned  their  faces  forward,  leading  their  age.  This 
gave  them  a  work  and  they  did  their  work. 

Ever  to  be  remembered  are  the  eminent  Norwalk- 
born  sons  who  in  this  work  have  brought  conspicuous 
honor  to  their  native  town.  Thomas  Fitch,  governor, 
and  Thomas  Fitch,  Jr.,  patriot  soldier;  Captain  John 
Thacher,  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  the  second  bishop  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Connecticut;  Prof.  Moses  Stuart, 
forerunner  in  Oriental  literature  in  this  country;  Dr. 
Jonathan  Knight,  the  eloquent  professor  in  Yale ;  Rear- 

144 


Admiral  Francis  Gregory,  of  the  United  States  Navy; 
Nathaniel  Bouton,  father  of  the  National  American 
Home  Missionary  Society;  Hon.  Charles  H.  Sherman, 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio,  and  the  Norwalk- 
born  parents  of  Hon.  John  Sherman  and  General  Wil- 
liam Tecumseh  Sherman,  men  of  world  fame.  Others 
who  have  gone  out  from  us  have  also  been  founders  of 
towns,  so  that  Norwalk  is  also  in  Ohio,  Wisconsin,  Iowa, 
Missouri,  Florida  and  California. 

As  we  rejoice  to-day  in  our  beautiful  town  of  twenty 
thousand  people — a  suburb  of  the  metropolis  of  this  con- 
tinent within  the  distance  of  an  hour — heirs  of  a  thou- 
sand privileges  of  which  with  all  their  hopes  the  fathers 
never  dreamed,  it  is  not  for  us  to  forget  how  they  blazed 
the  way  for  our  smoother  paths.  They  did  not  recoil 
from  grappling  fearlessly  with  the  duties  and  the  evils  of 
their  time.  We,  their  children,  can  best  honor  them  by 
being  as  true  to  our  times  as  they  were  to  theirs. 

The  day  has  not  yet  come  for  us  in  the  outlook  from 
our  higher  civilization  to  cease  to  honor  the  fathers  and 
their  principles,  while  we,  for  our  part,  are  seeking  to 
work  out  our  own  problems  of  destiny  in  honest  duty, 
that  our  day  may  be  as  wholesome  and  true  as  it  is  free 
and  great. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon,  September  the  Tenth,  the 
schools  of  the  town  assembled  in  the  Armory.  Abiathar 
Blanchard,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  School  Visitors, 
presided.  The  order  of  exercises  was  as  follows: 

MUSIC,  Star  Spangled  Banner. 

ADDRESS,  "Yesterday,  To-day  and  To-morrow." 

Miss  Mary  Merriman  Abbott,  President  of  the  State 
Federation  of  Women's  Clubs. 

MUSIC,  Columbia,  the  Gem  of  the  Ocean. 
ADDRESS,  "Citizenship." 

Rev.  Romilly  F.  Humphries. 

MUSIC,  Fair  America, 
Hail  Columbia. 

ADDRESS,  "The  Men  Who  Made  Connecticut." 

Walter  Seth  Logan,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution. 

i 

MUSIC,  America. 

145 


POEM  BY  DR.  JOHN  GAYLORD  DAVENPORT, 
Of  Waterbury,  Conn. 


"A  SWEET  AND  HALLOWED  TIME." 

We've  come  to  a  sweet  and  hallowed  time 

When  the  past  broods  o'er  the  town, 
And  wakes  again  the  scenes  and  men 

Of  conflict  and  renown. 
A  dreamy  light  is  on  the  bay 

And  its  rippling  waters  tell 
Of  clumsy  craft  and  homespun  sail    • 

Which  once  they  knew  so  well! 
The  hills  stand  silent  as  if  in  thought, 

In  their  ancient  robe  of  green, 
And  lift  their  heads  as  if  to  speak 

Of  the  things  that  they  have  seen. 
There  are  murmured  tales,  if  we  understood, 

In  the  sobbing  of  the  rills, 
And  every  vale  and  elope  and  wood 

With  retrospection  thrills! 
"Colonial  homes"  exult  to-day 

In  their  heritage  of  years, 
And  boast  superior  style,  while  each 

At  modern  structures  sneers! 
And  up  in  their  attics,  as  I  suspect, 

While  there's  no  one  there  to  see. 
All  "Grandma's  treasures"  are  prone  to  share 

In  a  burst  of  old-time  glee! 
The  great  wheel  says  to  the  linen -wheel, 

"Let's  honor  these  passing  days," 
And  they  whirl  in  a  jig  while  the  snapping  reel 

Keeps  time  to  their  merry  maze! 
And  the  warming  pan  with  its  cymbal  lid, 

Applauds  as  they  chasse, 
And  the  footstove  rattles  its  ashes  cold 

In  a  musical  sort  of  way! 
And  the  bellows  flutter  the  blackened  herbs 

That  hang  from  the  garret  wall, 
And  the  boneset  leaves  and  the  motherwort 

Into  the  cradle  fall! 
And  the  ancient  churn  that  has  rested  long 

Its  dasher  lifts  once  more, 


While  the  straight-backed  chairs,  join  arms  and  skip 

O'er  the  blackened  oaken  floor! 
And  the  shell  that  used  to  sweep  the  fields 

With  its  clear- toned  call  to  dine, 
Says  to  the  brass-nailed,  oxhide  trunk, 

"Your  style's  as  loud  as  mine!" 
And  the  pewter  platters  clap  their  hands, 

And  the  old  blue  pitcher  dreams 
Of  the  time  gone  by  when  its  nose  was  whole 

And  it  caught  the  cider  streams! 
And  grandfather's  clock  that  stands  apart, 

With  its  hands  before  its  face, 
With  a  desperate  effort  strikes  the  hour 

With  much  of  its  former  grace! 
O  these  are  days,  we  may  well  believe, 

Of  honest/ and  hearty  mirth, 
With  all  that  in  far-off,  golden  years 

Can  boast  exalted  birth! 

And  so  throughout  the  ancient  bounds, 

From  Wilton's  sunny  hills, 
To  the  harbor  where  the  restless  tide 

Its  chalice  drains  and  nils; 
From  Five  Mile  River  and  Darien 

To  Saugatuck's  verdant  shore, 
From  the  heights  that  fair  New  Canaan  homes 

With  beauty  mantle  o'er, 
To  Weston's  sturdy,  rock-bound  ridge, 

One  prevalent  taste  we  see, 
The  favorite  study  of  every  man 

Is  Ancient  History! 
One  title,  "Looking  Backward,"  seems 

All  wisdom  to  enshrine. 
While  not  a  song  so  moves  the  heart 

As  simple  "Auld  Lang  Syne!" 
The  twentieth  century  fades  from  view, 

The  seventeenth  is  ours, 
The  withered  stock  bursts  into  leaf 

And  yields  us  sweetest  flowers! 
O  not  in  vain  the  D.  A.  R., 

(With  never  a  final  N.) 
And  not  in  vain  the  S.  A.  R., 

Those  brave,  heroic  men, 
"Founders  and  Patriots,"  "Foreign  Wars," 

"Colonial  Wars,"  and  "Dames," 
And  all  the  rest  that  trace  their  line 

147 


Through  great  historic  names, 
Have  waited  for  the  charming  time 

That  bids  the  past  arise, 
And  all  its  characters  and  scenes 

Salute  our  wondering  eyes! 
Perchance  indeed  it  was  their  spell 

That  waked  the  long  ago, 
That  we  the  fullness  of  its  grace 

And  worthiness  might  know; 
Perchance  it  was  their  trumpet  call 

That  bade  the  dead  revive 
And  walk  and  worship  in  our  view, 

And  toil  and  love  and  strive! 
With  eager  hearts  we  greet  the  past 

And  yield  it  reverence  due, 
And  bid  it  make  our  lives  sublime, 

Unselfish,  broad  and  true! 
We've  garlands  for  the  pioneers 

Who  wrestled  here  with  fate, 
And  in  the  midst  of  perils  laid 

The  bases  of  the  State! 
We've  garlands  for  the  patriot  band 

Who  the  invader  met, 
And  who  through  fire  and  blood  their  face 

Toward  independence  set! 
We've  garlands  for  the  mothers  brave 

Who  shared  the  cruel  strain, 
And  deemed  it  highest  joy  their  sons 

For  worthiest  life  to  train! 

0  fathers,  mothers,  royal  race, 

Across  the  gulf  of  years 
We  bless  you  for  your  noble  work 

Unstayed  by  paiu  or  fears! 
Live,  live  before  us  while  these  days 

Are  gliding  sweetly  by, 
Reveal  the  grandeur  of  the  soul 

Whose  influence  cannot  die! 

One  sunny  day,  with  hook  and  line, 
I  sought  the  wave-washed  strand, 

Where  as  a  boy  I  eager  bore 
The  bivalves  to  the  land! 

1  sat  me  down  upon  a  point 

That  jutted  to  the  sea, 
And  waited  for  the  fish  so  kind 
As  to  be  game  for  me! 

148 


The  skies  were  bright,  the  waters  clear, 

Their  ripples  soothed  my  soul, 
I  looked  across  the  shining  waves 

And  marked  their  rhythmic  roll! 
I  thought  upon  these  festal  days, 

Then  not  so  far  away, 
And  wondered,  could  the  dead  return, 
What  they  would  think  and  say! 
When  of  a  sudden  I  perceived 

That  I  was  not  alone, 
For,  near  at  hand,  there  silent  sat 

A  man  to  me  unknown. 
His  dress  in  part  seemed  like  the  garb 

Of  those  who  ride  the  wheel, 
And  yet  a  strangeness  marked  his  style 

Whose  force  I  could  but  feel! 
His  shortened  coat  of  silken  gray 

Was  slashed  on  either  side, 
While  o'er  the  sleeves,  like  roof  of  porch, 

Hung  a  projection  wide! 
His  collar  was  as  white  and  broad 

As  that  of  modern  dude, 
And  yet  so  laid  about  his  neck 

As  nowise  to  intrude. 
A  cord  and  tassel  held  it  fast 

And  neatly  fell  below; 
His  shoes  with  buckles  firmly  bound 

Did  each  a  jewel  show. 
His  hat  ascended  toward, a  peak, 

His  face  seemed  sad  and  grim; 
I  marveled  at  his  looks  the  more, 

The  more  I  gazed  at  him. 
At  length  I  said,  in  courteous  tone, 

"I  harvest  from  the  sea; 
I  seek  a  little  of  its  wealth"; 

He  said,  "So  mote  it  be! 
"From  this  same  point,"  said  he,  "I've  flshed, 

And  gathered  many  a  score; 
But,"  with  a  sigh  he  added  soon, 

"I'll  do  it  nevermore!" 
"Why  not?"  I  asked,  "bring  on  your  line, 

The  sea  is  all  alive; 
These  swarms  that  throng  the  shining  depths 

We  surely  ought  to  hive! 
Calf  Pasture  is  a  goodly  place 
For  this  delightful  sport; 

149 


Come,  bring  your  tackle,  and  you'll  bear 

A  cargo  into  port!" 
"Two  hundred  years  ago,  and  more," 

Said  he,  "with  ample  luck 
My  hook  into  the  briny  deep 

With  diligence  I  struck! 
Good  Izaak  Walton,  then  alive, 

Taught  me  the  noble  art, 
And  sentiments  of  love  and  truth 

He  also  did  impart. 
I  wonder  if  his  book  is  read 

In  this  degenerate  age, 
The  marks  of  genius  it  reveals 

On  every  gleaming  page." 
I  started  as  he  spoke  of  years 

And  centuries  long  past, 
Forgetful  of  the  tugging  line 

That  held  a  flounder  fast. 
"You  fished,"  said  I,  "two  hundred  years, 

And  more  than  that  ago? 
Well,  who  you  are,  what  doing  here, 

I'd  surely  like  to  know!" 
A  dreamy  look  had  filled  his  eyes, 

He  seemed  afar  to  gaze, 
The  while  1  waited  tremulous, 

With  wonder  and  amaze! 
"Yon  thriving  town,"  he  slowly  said, 

"Whose  distant  towers  you  see, 
Proud  of  its  beauty  and  its  wealth, 

Owes  much  to  mine  and  me! 
We  came  when  here  the  wilderness 

Stood  thick  and  dark  around, 
And  savage  beasts  and  savage  men 

Held  the  uncultured  ground. 
The  river  and  its  feeding  brooks 

Ran  murmuring  to  the  sea, 
And  waves  here  sang,  but  not  a  soul 

Echoed  their  melody! 
We  felled  the  trees,  we  broke  the  soil, 

Our  humble  cabins  reared, 
And  thrusting  back  the  crowding  wood 

We  farm  and  garden  cleared. 
It  was  an  age  of  toil  severe; 

At  times  our  -courage  failed; 
Yet  we  pressed  on,  for  well  we  knew 

'Twas  death  to  him  who  quailed! 

160 


And  so  at  length  tbe  little  town 

Here  by  the  pulsing  bay, 
Rose  into  comeliness  and  strength, 

A  settlement  to  stay! 
It  spread  beyond,  upon  the  hills, 

Unfolded  east  and  west, 
And  vale  and  slope  and  pasture  land 

And  forest  all  possessed! 
We  early  built  the  house  of  God 

And  made  it  strong  and  fair, 
And  consecrated  it  to  Him 

With  earnest  psalm  and  prayer. 
And  Parson  Hanford  wove  his  spell 

And  chained  our  hearts  with  ease, 
The  while  he  showed  a  sovereign  God 

And  talked  of  the  decrees! 
We  never  felt  the  summer's  heat, 

Nor  feared  the  winter's  cold, 
The  air  of  heaven  the  sacred  place 

Seemed  ever  to  enfold. 
And  in  our  little  homes  we  knew 

The  sweetest  joys  of  love; 
For  blessings  on  the  hearthstone  fell 

Directly  from  above!" 

The  speaker  paused;   his  bosom  heaved 

By  deep  emotion  stirred, 
And  then  while  throbbed  the  restless  sea, 

This  moving  tale  I  heard: 
"Across  the  road  from  father's  house 

The  Matthew  Marvins  dwelt, 
And  Sarah  was  the  girl  for  whom 

A  deep  regard  I  felt! 
And  as  the  years  rolled  on  and  we 

Together  talked  and  played, 
And  often  through  the  open  fields 

And  by  the  water  strayed, 
That  'deep  regard'  of  mine  increased, 

Until  I  came  to  feel 
That  if  I  had  her  faithful  love 

'Twculd  all  my  sorrows  heal! 
I  thought  that  with  her  company, 

My  life;  though  filled  with  care, 
Would  blossom  out  in  loveliness 

And  fruit  immortal  bear. 
For  Sarah  was  as  sweet  a  girl 

151 


As  ever  breathed  the  air, 
As  graceful  as  a  forest  rose, 

And  just  as  bright  and  fair! 
Her  cheeks  were  pink  as  dawning  day; 

Her  hair  was  finest  gold; 
Her  eyes  were  blue  as  ocean  waves; 

Her  charm  could  ne'er  be  told! 

One  springtime,  'twas  in  '79, 

If  I  remember  right, 
And  just  a  day  like  this,  when  earth 

And  sky  were  wondrous  bright; 
I  in  the  furrow  left  the  plough, 

I  had  no  heart  for  work, 
Though  none  had  ever  dared  to  call 

Young  Thomas  Betts  a  'shirk!' 
Across  the  path  I  went  in  haste, 

And  Sarah  asked,  if  she 
That  afternoon  would  take  a  walk 

Away  down  by  the  sea. 
I  told  her  that  the  samphire  then 

Had  reached  a  goody  size 
And  that  with  quantities  thereof 

Her  mother  we'd  surprise! 
She  was  agreed  and  so  we  came, 

And  reached  this  very  spot, 
And  of  the  sea-washed  succulent 

Gathered  a  generous  lot. 
And  then  we  sat  upon  the  point 

Where  we  are  met  to-day, 
And  heard  the  waters  lap,  and  saw 

Them  sparkle  far  away. 
And,  after  hitching  all  about, 

And  struggling  with  a  cough, 
And  sitting  close  to  her  and  then 

Removing  further  off, 
At  length  I  said,  'You,  Sarah,  know,' 

And  then  my  courage  fell, 
'You,  Sarah,  know — how  pleasant  'tis 

To  see  the  waters  swell! 
No,  no,  it  isn't  that  I'd  say. 

But  that  you  know  full  well 
How  pleasant  'tis  down  by  the  sea 

A  little  time  to  dwell! 
For  shame!'  I  cried,  'You,  Sarah,  know, 

What  I  can  never  tell! 


158 


But  though  I  have  a  stumbling  tongue, 

My  heart  it  loves  you  well! 
And  I  have  long  desired  to  learn 

If  you  will  be  my  wife, 
And  bring  a  heavenly  charm  and  joy 

Into  my  lonely  life!' 
She  sat  in  all  her  radiant  youth 

Where  you  are  sitting  now, 
With  dreamy  eyes  and  glowing  cheek 

And  calm  and  thoughtful  brow. 
And  she  replied,  'You're  dear  to  me, 

And  that  you  well  must  know, 
For  the  sweet  secret  of  my  heart 

I'm  sure  I  could  but  show. 
But  is  it  best  that  with  our  love 

Life's  fleeting  years  we  fill? 
Has  it  for  us  been  thus  decreed? 

Is  it  the  Father's  will? 
We  must,  in  fear,  our  souls  prepare 

For  pleasures  that  endure, 
And  make  our  calling,  'mid  earth's  scenes, 

And  our  election  sure. 
I've  asked  that  God  would  guide  aright 

In  these  affairs  of  mine, 
And  yet,  if  He  have  heard  my  prayer, 

He  gives  no  certain  sign. 

0  that  while  here  in  joy  we  meet 

Beside  the  laughing  sea, 
Some  token  might  be  given  us 

If  you  are  meant  for  me!    . 
Look,  Thomas,  see  yon  rock  that  lifts 

Its  head  above  the  wave, 

1  wonder  if  its  rugged  height 

The  rising  tide  will  lave! 
Let's  pray  that  if  it  be  His  will 

That  you  be  wholly  mine, 
That  rock,  ere  night,  shall  hide  itself 

Beneath  the  crystal  brine!' 
And  so  we  asked  that  He  whose  hand 

Directs  the  shifting  tide, 
Might  thus  declare,  if  'twas  His  will 

That  she  should  be  my  bride. 
And  then  we  watched!    O  slowly  rose 

The  waters  of  the  bay! 
Never  so  slowly  as  upon 

That  far-off,  fateful  day! 

168 


We  sat  in  silence,  knowing  well 

How  much  the  signal  meant, 
And  all  my  soul  in  pleading  prayer 

To  heaven  for  mercy  went! 
Slowly,  so  slowly,  rose  the  tide; 

Yet  steadily  it  came, 
While  over  it  the  western  skies 

Burst  into  gorgeous  flame! 
At  last,  the  waters  swept  the  rock! 

They  settled  o'er  its  head! 
They  hid  it  'neath  their  blessed  waves! 

'It  is  His  will,'  she  said. 
And  while  the  wavelets  leaped  and  laughed 

And  splendor  filled  the  skies, 
A  look  of  heavenly  rapture  stole 

Into  her  soulful  eyes. 
'Let's  praise  our  gracious  God,'  I  said; 

Our  voices  blent  in  one 
As  grateful  psalm  we  sang,  and  gazed 

Upon  the  setting  sun. 
'The  sea  is  His;    He  made  its  waves; 

He  lifts  them  at  His  will; 
And  sea  and  land  and  storm  and  sun 

His  purposes  fulfill!' 
At  length  we  took  the  samphire  home, 

Our  errand  a  success; 
But  no  one  knew  what  joy  had  come 

Our  inmost  souls  to  bless! 
In  violet  tints  the  twilight  glowed, 

The  west  was  shining  still, 
And  from  the  forest  swept  the  note 

If  happy  whippoorwill! 
'Tis  heaven  begun!'  my  Sarah  cried; 

'My  soul  exultant  sings; 
Yon  sunset  clouds  seem  seraphs  bright 

Afloat  on  snowy  wings!'" 

Just  at  this  point  my  flounder  leaped 

Upon  a  neighboring  stone; 
My  friend's  attention  I  invoked, 

And  found  myself  alone! 
Soothed  by  the  waters  and  the  sun 

I  may  have  slept  and  dreamed, 
Although  my  ancient  visitor 

Most  realistic  seemed! 
And  I  reflected  that  the  men 

164 


And  women  we  recall. 
The  pioneers,  the  patriots, 

Were  human  one  and  all! 
The  heart's  deep  passions  all  they  knew, 

Its  joys  and  hopes  and  fears, 
Its  gleams  of  sunshine  and  the  clouds 

That  yielded  bitter  tears! 
And  as  I  mused  they  nearer  seemed. 

And  o'er  the  waste  of  time 
I  reached  my  hand  in  tenderness 

To  all  those  souls  sublime! 
Their  lot  was  hard,  their  life  was  stem, 

Sore  griefs  they  must  have  known, 
And  yet  their  inmost  soul  was  keyed 

In.  rhythm  with  our  own. 
O  fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  friends, 

Amid  the  hurrying  years, 
We  stand  with  you,  one  flesh,  one  soul, 

One  life  of  smiles  and  tears! 
The  centuries  may  roll  away 

As  stars  their  courses  run, 
Earth's  rock-ribbed  coasts  may  change,  and  yet 
Humanity  is  one! 

And  still,  how  very  much  he  lacked, 

The  Norwalk  pioneer 
Who  set  the  pillars  of  the  State 

On  firm  foundations  here. 
If  we  but  place  ourselves,  in  thought 

Where  he  so  nobly  stood, 
We  feel  how  barren  was  his  life 

In  its  pursuit  of  good. 
To  us  who  dwell  amid  the  blaze 

Of  time's  exalted  noon, 
It  seems  that  he.  the  pioneer, 

Was  born  by  far  too  soon! 

The  banner  dyed  in  Orient  flame, 

Whose  stars  spell  out  great  Freedom's  name, 

Whose  stripes  are  bright  with  patriot's  fame; 

This  had  not  lifted  into  view 

Its  heaven-born  red  and  white  and  blue, 

While  he  earth's  light  and  shadow  knew. 

The  great  Republic  whose  domain 
Eastern  and  western  oceans  drain 
A  giant  lake  and  gulf  retain; 

166 


Whose  might  a  continent  has  spanned 
And  overleaped  its  native  land 
Far  tropic  islands  to  command; 

Of  this,  when  wildest  fancy  gleamed, 
And  all  the  future  brightness  beamed, 
He  never  for  a  moment  dreamed! 

Of  Washington,  the  nation's  boast, 
Of  martyred  Lincoln,  loved  the  most, 
Of  Grant,  who  led  the  dauntless  host; 

Of  Clay  and  Webster  and  their  peers 
Who  graced  our  great  historic  years 
And  waked  the  nation's  joys  or  fears, 

Of  our  McKinley,  wise  and  grand — 
Worthy  with  noblest  chiefs  to  stand, 
The  pride  and  glory  of  the  land; 

He  never  heard;    no  prophet  came 

To  tell  the  pioneer  their  name 

And  paint  for  him  their  deathless  fame! 

The  columns  marching  to  the  fray 

On  Bunker  Hill's  heroic  day, 

Or  when  old  Norwalk  burned  away; 

The  forces  that  on  Erie  fell 

While  white-capped  billows  sobbed  their  knell 

And  winds  alone  their  grave  could  tell; 

The  millions  that  at  Lincoln's  call 
Bade  blighting  slavery's  strongholds  fall 
And  liberty  conferred  on  all; 

The  hosts  that  stormed  up  San  Juan  hill 

The  nation's  edict  to  fulfill 

And  break  the  heartless  tyrant's  will; 

Of  these  no  glimpse  the  pioneer 
Was  privileged  to  gain;    no  cheer 
Of  victory's  rapture  smote  his  ear! 

These  men  of  war,  these  heroes  brave, 
Who  freely  all  they  cherished  gave 
Humanity's  best  hope  to  save; 

166 


Whose  blood  has  stained  our  banner  red, 
Whose  valor  crowning  every  head 
Has  deathless  glory  o'er  it  shed; 

These  whom  we  honor  came  in  view 
A  century  after  he  withdrew 
To  join  the  standard  in  the  blue! 

Red-handed  Anarchy,  whose  blow, 
Lays  loved  and  honored  ruler  low, 
And  fills  the  land  with  bitterest  woe, 

That  horror  such  as  this  could  be, 
The  settler  did  not  live  to  see, 
Nor  dreamed  of  such  iniquity! 

Much  that  has  now  familiar  grown 
To  him,  alas!  was  all  unknown, 
The  fruit  of  seeds  as  yet  unsown! 

With  Ptolemy  he  viewed  the  world 
As  central,  while  around  it  whirled 
The  orbs  Omnipotence  had  hurled! 

He  thought  the  heavens  in  shining  maze, 
The  earth  with  all  its  wondrous  ways, 
Were  builded  in  six  summer  days! 

The  theory  that  all  had  sprung 
From  germs  original  outflung 
The  awful  gulfs  of  space  among; 

That  these  while  cycles  slowly  rolled 
Strange  forms  of  beauty  did  unfold 
Till  nature's  thrilling  tale  was  told; 

This  truth  as  yet  was  all  untaught, 
Nor  yet  by  sage  nor  prophet  thought, 
Nor  into  human  fancy  wrought! 

The  lightning  blazed  along  the  skies, 
But  was  not  brought  in  mild  disguise 
To  cheer  the  early  settler's  eyes! 

No  telegraphic  message  came 
On  pinions  of  electric  flame 
Bringing  its  tale  of  grief  or  fame! 

157 


The  pioneer  had  never  known 
The  "central"  girl's  incisive  tone, 
Nor  chatted  with  the  telephone! 

A  football  head  ot  hair  to  him 
Suggested  neither  freak  nor  whim, 
He  never  caught  the  vision  grim! 

A  game  of  Harvard  vs.  Yale, 
If  crimson  or  if  blue  prevail, 
Was  all  to  him  an  unknown  tale! 

The  Indian  warwhoop  through  the  dell 
Had  features  that  he  knew  full  well, 
But  not  a  modern  college  yell! 

The  charms  of  golf  he  never  knew, 
Nor  clamored  for  the  "green"  or  "blue," 
When  croquet  contest  was  in  view! 

As  "club-man"  he  was  never  known; 
For  all  the  club  that  time  had  shown 
Was  made  of  hickory  tipped  with  stone! 

No  "woman  suffrage"  man  was  he, 
For  woman  had  not  thought  to  flee 
From  man's  dire  inhumanity! 

Not  yet  was  she  the  woman  "new," 
Emancipated,  brought  to  view, 
Eager  for  all  that's  wise  and  true! 

Not  yet  had  she  curtailed  her  frock, 
Nor  bound  her  neck  in  stiffest  stock, 
Nor  given  a  tea  at  five  o'clock! 

He  only  knew  her  as  "at  home,'1 

The  charm  that  drew,  where'er  he'd  roam, 

From  forest  glen  or  ocean  foam! 

He  never  knew  of  Cresceus  fleet, 
Nor  heard  of  Maud  S.'s  magic  feet, 
Nor  yacht  that  could  Sir  Lipton  beat! 

He  never  wrestled  with  a  tire, 
Nor  took  a  "header"  in  the  mire, 
NOT  for  a  "chainless"  did  inquire. 

158 


He  bravely  trudged  through  "Pudding  Lane; 
And  sought  "Old  Well"  mid  sun  or  rain — 
Nor  ever  waited  for  a  train! 

An  automobile  would  have  seemed 
The  dragon  of  which  Bunyan  dreamed, 
As  through  the  rude  highways  it  steamed! 

An  X-ray  shining  through  the  heart, 

Revealing  every  hidden  part, 

He  would  have  cursed  as  "Satan's  art." 

He  ate  and  drank  and  breathed  at  will, 
But  not  a  microbe  found  to  chill 
His  courage  or  his  pulses  still! 

Mosquitoes  sang  the  same  sweet  lay 
That  one  may  hear  them  sing  to-day, 
But  had  no  fever  to  convey! 

And  so  they  raised  their  ancient  tune, 
And  sipped  the  blood  of  March  or  June, 
Nor  asked  if  one  were  an  "immune!" 

No  daily  paper  brought  its  word 
Of  great  debate  in  London  heard 
Some  hours  before  the  thing  occurred! 

With  hatchet  keen  he  felled  the  oaks, 
But  Washington's  historic  strokes 
And  Carrie  Nation's  temperance  hoax, 

To  him  were  glories  yet  unborn, 
Nor  wakened  envy,  praise  or  scorn 
For  hero  crowned  nor  dame  forlorn! 

It  was  his  rule  to  summer  here, 
Rather  than  seek  for  Newport's  cheer 
Or  bathe  at  Narragansett  Pier. 

He  never  heard  the  rhythmic  fire 
Of  odes  and  idyls  that  inspire 
From  Tennyson's  immortal  lyre! 

He  never  trod  the  heathered  height 

With  Burns,  and  caught  his  fancies  bright, 

Nor  shared  the  "Cotter's  Saturday  Night" 

169 


And  Walter  Scott  ne'er  charmed  him  so 
With  "Kenilworth"  or  "Ivanhoe," 
That  he  forgot  to  plough  and  sow! 

Mark  Twain  ne'er  moved  him  to  a  laugh, 
Nor  Dudley  Warner  bade  him  quaff 
His  humor-pathos,  half  and  half! 

And  David  Harum,  wise  and  good, 
Ne'er  bade  him  sell  as  best  he  could 
A  horse  that  "without  hitching"  stood! 

He  never  kenned  the  brilliant  sparks 

Of  "Mr.  Dooley's"  sage  remarks, 

Nor  viewed  Sir  Richard  Carvel's  "larks." 

America's  great  authors  all 
Appeared  upon  this  radiant  ball 
Too  late  to  answer  to  his  call. 

He  never  knew  the  struggle  great 
As  Presidential  candidate 
Ascends  to  his  Imperial  state! 

He  never  visited  by  stealth, 

Nor  shook  the  hand  nor  drank  the  health 

Of  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth. 

In  fact,  as  we  his  life  recall, 

So  destitute  as  to  appall, 

We  wonder  that  he  lived  at  all! 

And  yet,  the  vital  things  he  saw, 
The  majesty  of  moral  law, 
Ordained  of  God  without  a  flaw; 

The  law  of  man,  that  subtle  force 
That  binds  the  cultured  and  the  coarse, 
As  sacred  as  its  heavenly  source; 

These  he  essential  did  esteem, 
And  sought  to  realize  his  dream 
Of  law  enthroned  and  made  supreme! 

The  depths  of  human  love  he  knew, 
The  passion  pure  and  sweet  and  true 
That  yields  Its  object  homage  due. 

100 


As  lover  he  was  all  aiiame, 

As  husband  faithful  to  his  dame, 

As  father,  worthy  of  the  name! 

And  in  his  soul  a  faith  sublime 
Reached  far  beyond  the  bounds  of  time 
And  dared  the  throne  eternal  climb! 

"The  man  with  the  hoe,"  but  not  a  "clod, 
His  face  he  lifted  from  the  sod, 
A  lover  and  a  child  of  God! 

He  worshiped  as  he  trod  the  strand 
Or  turned  the  furrows  of  his  land 
Or  sowed  the  seed  with  liberal  hand! 

The  daisies  still  with  dewdrops  wet, 
The  lilies  'mid  the  grasses  set, 
The  roses  in  the  wildwood  met; 

The  iris  by  the  river's  brink, 
The  flute-notes  of  the  bobolink, 
The  shaded  brooklet's  pensive  clink; 

The  daybreak  rose,  the  sunset  gold, 
The  spheres  along  the  midnight  rolled, 
Of  an  Almighty  Sovereign  told! 

Of  Him  he  ever  stood  -in  awe; 
His  radiant  righteousness  he  saw 
And  feared  the  thunders  of  His  law! 

And  far  above  the  earthly  sod, 

Yet  brightening  all  the  paths  he  trod, 

Behold!    the  kingdom  of  his  God! 

Upon  these  shores  he  saw  it  rise 
Decked  with  the  glory  of  the  skies, 
And  voiced  with  notes  of  Paradise! 

Perhaps  it  was  presumptuous  sin 
To  think  that  he  might  enter  in 
To  that  which  the  elect  should  win! 

And  yet  he  prayed  and  struggled  on, 
The  flesh  denied,  and  hoped  anon 
That  he  celestial  robes  might  don! 

161 


Meanwhile  the  humble  pioneer 
The  firm  foundations  settled  here 
On  which  we've  rested  many  a  year! 

Ever  to  his  convictions  true, 
He  builded  better  than  he  knew 
The  while  the  busy  decades  flew. 

And  then  he  passed,  his  labor  done, 
And  at  the  setting  of  the  sun 
Found  God's  eternal  day  begum! 

Two  centuries  and  more  have  cast 

Their  shadow  on  the  dial, 
Since  here  the  settler  lived  his  life 

Of  hardship  and  of  trial. 
Still  rise  the  hills  that  he  beheld, 

The  river  seeks  the  sea; 
The  tides  still  kiss  the  verdant  isles, 

The  skies  bend  lovingly! 
And  yet,  how  greatly  changed  is  all! 

What  eager  life  is  here! 
What  beauty  crowns  the  sunny  heights 

And  fills  the  vales  with  cheer! 
Another  world  has  dawned  and  left 

Its  impress  on  the  scene; 
A  fascinating  picture  now 

Is  imaged  on  the  screen! 
The  heritage  of  all  the  years 

On  us  confers  its  charm, 
While  sovereignty  august  avails 

To  shield  from  every  harm ! 
We  glory  in  our  high  estate, 

We  boast  our  wealth  and  power; 
We  magnify  this  wondrous  age 

That  heaps  us  with  its  dower! 

We  wonder  what  the  future  holds 

As  yet  to  us  unknown; 
What  growth  in  knowledge  and  in  might 

Shall  here  at  length  be  shown; 
We  scan  the  horizons  o'er  and  o'er 

Their  promises  to  learn, 
Some  glimpses  of  what  lies  beneath 

Most  eager  to  discern! 
Shall  ancient  Norwalk  here  enthroned 

168 


Beside  the  sunlit  sea 
Grow  great  and  strong  and  rich  and  wise 

In  true  prosperity? 
Shall  all  the  lands  the  founders  trod 

Abundant  harvests  yield, 
The  grasses  and  the  wheat  and  corn 

Awave  in  every  field? 
Shall  every  brooklet  turn  the  wheel 

That  labor's  an  them  sings, 
And  all  the  people  find  the  toil, 

That  peace  and  plenty  brings? 
Shall  pleasant  homes  on  every  hand 

Be  filled  with  joy  and  light, 
And  all  their  inmates  seek  to  know 

And  love  and  do  the  right? 
Shall  church-bells  call  to  praise  and  prayer 

And  school-rooms  ope  the  door, 
And  youth  be  trained  for  noblest  life 

Now  and  forever  more? 
And  from  these  scenes  shall  men  be  called 

To  serve  in  highest  place, 
To  aid  the  State,  to  bless  the  land, 

To  elevate  the  race? 
Shall  it  be  thus,  our  hearts  inquire, 

And  lift  the  earnest  plea, 
That  all  that  choicest  is  and  best, 
May  come,  fair  town,  to  thee! 

Peace  be  upon  thy  beauteous  heights, 

And  peace  like  sunshine  trail 
O'er  every  slope  and  pasture  land, 

Through  every  flower-gemmed  vale! 
The  peace  that  every  good  enfolds, 

Unfathomed,  sweet,  divine, 
This  peace,  O  dear  ancestral  town, 

Forevermore  be  thine! 

Before  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  Hon.  Orville  H. 
Platt,  United  States  Senator  from  Connecticut,  was  lis- 
tened to  with  the  closest  interest  and  attention.  He 
said  he  was  proud  to  speak  before  an  audience  of  Nor- 
walk  people,  and  though  not  a  Norwalk  boy  himself, 
having  been  born  in  Redding,  Conn.,  he  felt  that  he  was 
a  Connecticut  man,  and  that  any  Connecticut  man  ought 
to  have,  as  he  had,  an  interest  and  a  personal  one,  in  such 
an  anniversary  as  Norwalk  is  now  celebrating.  He  said, 

163 


also,  that  there  were  two  forces  which  our  ancestors  built 
upon.  These  were  church  and  state,  and  that  both  were 
founded  on  a  rock  is  proven  by  the  fact  that,  to-day, 
though  the  church  and  state  are  separate,  both  are  work- 
ing harmoniously.  Mr.  Platt  referred  to  our  wounded 
president  and  said  that  all  the  country  was  united  in  sym- 
pathy for  his  condition.  Out  of  this  misfortune  the  wrath 
of  man  would  raise  up  a  law  which  should  deal  with  an- 
archists as  they  deserve  to  be  dealt  with. 


184 


N  the  evening  at  the  Home  Gathering 
at  the  Armory,  last  night,  Hon.  John 
H.  Light  presided.  Seated  on  the 
platform  were  the  speakers  of  the  even- 
ing, Rev.  Paul  Moore  Stray er,  Rev. 
George  Drew  Egbert,  Rev.  Charles  M. 
Belden  of  Wilton ;  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Tierney,  Hon.  Howard  H.  Knapp, 
Rev.  William  J.  Slocum,  and  others.  After  Chairman 
Light's  introductory  remarks,  he  read  the  following  let- 
ters of  regret: 

Memphis,  Tenn.,  September  4th,  1901. 
Goold  S.  Hoyt,  Secretary,  etc.,  Norwalk,  Conn. 

Dear  Sir: — I  have  your  invitation  to  be  present  at 
the  celebration  of  the  two  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary of  the  founding  of  Norwalk,  and  regret  more  than 
I  can  express  my  inability  to  be  present  on  that  occa- 
sion. 

Through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  my  more  than 
seventy  years,  through  all  its  sorrows  and  its  joys,  its 
clouds  and  sunshine,  aye,  even  through  the  din  and 
smoke  of  carnage  of  many  a  battle  field,  the  memories 
of  my  boyhood  days  in  old  Norwalk  with  the  voices  and 
the  faces  of  that  long  ago  come  to  me  now  as  clear  and 
bright  as  the  drops  of  dew  on  the  meadow  grass  in  that 
glad  spring-time  of  my  life. 

I  remember  the  old  house  where  I  was  born,  with 
its  dormer  windows  and  white  front  porch,  where  now 
stands  the  Congregational  Church.  Opposite  was  the 
old  meeting  house  on  the  Green,  where  old  Bailey  rang 
the  bell,  the  rope  coming  down  into  the  entry  by  the 
great  stove,  the  Bailey  that  used  to  make  big  eyes  at  the 
youngsters  and  frighten  us  almost  to  death. 

Dr.  Hall  was  the  pastor,  and  such  was  my  fear  of 
his  awful  presence,  in  those  days,  that  I  would  jump  over 
the  fence  whenever  I  saw  him  coming  along,  but  I  got 
over  that  when  he  taught  me  Sallust,  and  took  us  in  his 
boat  down  the  harbor  to  dig  clams  and  catch  fish. 

And  the  old  school  house  in  the  center  of  the  Green, 
the  district  school  below,  and  Aunt  Susan  Belt's  school 
upstairs,  where  I  learned  my  a,  b,  c's  in  the  stars  until 
9  o'clock  came,  the  time  for  bed.  And  then  Saturday 

166 


afternoon,  the  heaven  of  the  school  boy  in  those  days, 
the  Jackson  dinners  in  the  woods  in  summer,  the  swim- 
ming in  the  creek  and  eating  green  apples  on  the  shore, 
the  coasting  in  winter  on  Jarvis's,  Barnum's,  Barkmill's, 
Schoolhotise  and  Mill  River. 

And  training  day,  with  Captain  Clark's  artillery 
company  on  the  Green,  with  the  old  six-pounder,  the 
march,  with  Beers  playing  the  snare  drum,  who  used  to 
fall  out  of  the  line  of  march  and  rest  by  the  roadside, 
overcome  by  the  spirit  of  '76,  of  which  he  imbibed  too 
freely  at  Captain  Pennoyer's  old  stand  by  the  bridge. 

And  then  there  was  the  singing  school,  with  Doctor 
Hastings  and  the  Sunday  school,  the  Fourth  of  July, 
with  the  band  and  the  solitary  lemon  in  the  lemonade. 

How  I  would  like  to  tell  of  the  donation  parties  at 
Dr.  Hall's,  the  fun  of  it,  the  doughnuts  and  the  cakes, 
the  biscuits,  the  girls,  the  plays,  and  the  solemn  roundup 
with  a  sermon  at  the  close,  which  sent  us  all  home  to 
dream  of  the  Judgment  Day. 

And  that  assembly  on  the  village  green,  for  the  first 
emigration  to  the  West,  to  found  Norwalk,  Ohio.  I  can 
see  those  white-covered  wagons,  as  they  disappeared 
down  Barkmill  Hill ;  can  hear  the  Doxology,  the  part- 
ings, as  if  forever. 

I  must  not  forget  the  choir  in  the  old  meeting  house, 
with  the  angelic  face  of  Aunt  Juliette,  nor  W.  K.  Lewis, 
with  that  big  bass  viol.  Can  you  see  them  now,  and  Ed 
Bissell  leading? 

Then  came  the  South  Norwalk  Academy,  with 
Storr's  Hall  and  Professor  Coffin,  with  Helen  Sammis, 
E.  M.  Seymour,  Mary  Lib.  Stuart,  Belle  Beard,  among 
the  girls,  always  not  excepting  Mary  Jane.  How  many 
of  them  are  living  now?  I  hope  one  of  the  youngsters 
is  here  to-day  who  will  remember  when  asked  his  name 
always  responded  "George  Buckingham  St.  John  Full 
of  Mischief."  And  there  was  Dr.  Hill  with  his  violin, 
teaching  the  boys  and  girls  to  sing ;  John  Burrall,  who 
always  had  some  confidence  to  impart  in  a  whisper, 
which  you  could  hear  half  a  mile,  and  Ed  Stuart^  with 
his  red  hair,  who  tried  to  manage  the  boys  in  the 
boys  in  the  academy,  with  the  usual  result.  And  then 
came  Pudding  School  Lane,  when  my  career  in  Norwalk 
ended.  But  I  could  talk  to  you  for  hours  on  the  charac- 
ters and  experiences  of  those  days,  as  garrulous  as  the 
old  veteran  by  the  fireside,  who  "shouldered  his  crutch, 
and  showed  how  fields  were  won." 

166 


Dear  is  the  memory  of  early  days 

That  steals  the  trembling  tear  of  speechless  praise." 

Gone,  all  gone,  the  friends  of  my  youth.  Their 
names  carved  on  the  stones,  but  the  sweet,  the  manly 
face,  the  tender  voices  are  with  me  yet.  In  the  coming 
years  I  hope  the  people  of  Norwalk  will  have  a  "Home 
Coming  Week,"  such  as  are  in  vogue  in  Maine,  New 
Hampshire  and  Vermont,  so  that  I  can  meet  you  all  once 
more.  In  the  language  of  Tiny  Tim,  "God  bless  us, 
every  one." 

With  kindest  remembrances  to  all  who  have  not  for- 
gotten me,  and  with  high  esteem  for  yourself,  I  am  faith- 
fully yours,  W.  T.  CLARK. 

In  Camp,  September  6th,  1901.    Vassar  College,  Pough- 

keepsie,  N.  Y.,  President's  Office. 

My  Dear  Dr.  Beard : — I  am  very  sorry  that  my  en- 
gagements make  it  inconvenient  for  me  to  be  at  the  Nor- 
walk celebration.  I  am  interested  in  every  detail  of  it. 
South  Norwalk  was  my  first  home  after  leaving  my 
father's  house  My  first  church  was  there.  Three  of 
my  children  were  born  there,  and  for  nine  years  I  was 
entirely  identified  with  the  interests  of  the  town.  One 
can  never  lose  the  influences  of  those  early  years  and 
their  associations,  and  they  come  back  to  one  with  an 
interest  seldom  gained  by  later  days. 

I  will  not  burden  yqu  with  the  memories  that  throng 
in  my  mind  as  I  write,  of  leading  citizens  of  a  score  of 
years  ago,  of  schools,  of  churches,  of  private  and  social 
and  public  interests — but  I  beg  that  you  will  express  to 
our  fellow-citizens  my  regret  that  I  cannot  be  with  them, 
and  my  hopes  for  the  substantial  and  increasing  pros- 
perity of  our  old  town.  Believe  me,  faithfully  yours, 

JAMES  M.  TAYLOR. 


167 


UP    TOWN    AND    DOWN    TOWN 


HE  Rev.  Paul  Moore  Strayer,  of  the 
South  N  o  r  w  a  1  k  Congregational 
Church,  was  next  introduced.  He 
spoke  as  follows : 

The  subject  is  my  own  choosing. 
The  committee  has  not  led  me  as  a 
sacrifice  to  a  threadbare  topic.  But  a 
note  that  has  doubtless  been  often 
sounded  before  needs  sounding  again.  In  the  town  of 
Norwalk  we  have  two  small  cities  with  separate  municip- 
al governments.  I  do  not  propose  in  ten  minutes  to  ad- 
vocate the  combination  of  the  two  into  one  first  class 
city,  though  this  does  not  appear  so  impracticable  as  is 
imagined.  Their  geographical  separation  is  now  of  the 
past.  Electricity  has  removed  this  issue.  Geographi- 
cally the  cities  are  one.  Yet  I  speak  not  for  union  but 
unity,  which  means  harmony,  concord,  sympathy. 

The  new  comer  is  made  to  understand  at  once  that 
there  is  a  wide  gulf  between  Norwalk  and  South  Nor- 
walk ;  that  the  two  little  cities  are  far  apart  in  interests, 
and  that  they  cannot  live  together  in  unity  because  each 
would  have  to  sacrifice  so  much  that  is  individual  and 
characteristic.  "Uptown"  and  "downtown"  are  such  dis- 
tinct communities,  are  so  unlike,  have  so  little  in  com- 
mon, that  they  never  could  agree  and  should  not  be  ex- 
pected to  agree.  On  my  arrival  I  heard  about  uptown 
and  downtown  until  my  wits  were  turned  upside  down. 
At  first  I  was  surprised  that  I  could  go  from  South  Nor- 
walk to  Norwalk  by  trolley,  and  return  the  same  day — 
the  two  places  appeared  to  my  imagination  so  remote. 
Later  I  was  told  by  several  persons  how  honored  I  ought 
to  feel  because  they  had  come  from  uptown  to  hear  me 
preach.  Some  would  explain  to  me  what  Norwalk  had 
been,  and  others  what  South  Norwalk  had  done.  Up- 
towners  would  modestly  hint  at  the  superior  social  ad- 
vantages in  which  they  live,  and  downtowners  would 
proudly  tell  how  the  daughter  has  outgrown  the  moth- 
er. All  this  was  amusing  until  I  learned  that  in  town 
meetings  Norwalk  would  regularly  vote  against  South 
Nor  walk,  and  when  one  section  wanted  a  public  im- 
provement the  other  would  mass  its  voters  against  it. 
The  foolish  distinctions  were  not  worth  a  second  thought, 
but  organized  antagonism  was  more  serious. 

168 


Then  I  looked  for  the  widely  divergent  interests  of 
the  two  little  cities  which  gave  rise  to  these  conditions, 
but  looked  in  vain.  A  rifleman  on  the  Norwalk  Hotel 
could  break  the  clock-dial  of  Hotel  Clifford.  A  good 
walker  could  walk  from  one  postoffice  to  the  other  in 
twenty  minutes.  A  stranger  cannot  tell  when  he  passes 
from  South  Norwalk  into  Norwalk  and,  after  eight 
months'  residence  I  do  not  know  the  boundary  lines  be- 
tween Norwalk  and  East  Norwalk.  The  people  in  the 
two  cities  look  alike,  dress  alike,  speak  the  same  lan- 
guage, eat  the  same  kind  of  food,  have  the  same  customs. 
The  crowds  from  the  factories  divide  and  as  many  go 
north  as  go  south.  There  are  Norwalk  clerks  in  South 
Norwalk  stores  and  South  Norwalk  salesmen  in  the 
stores  of  Norwalk.  The  churches  of  one  city  have  many 
members  in  the  other.  The  physicians  draw  their  clien- 
tage from  both  cities  alike.  The  dead  are  buried  in  the 
same  cemeteries.  Instead  of  diversity  of  interests  I  found 
similarity  and  interdependence. 

Indeed  what  caused  the  disagreement  between  the 
two  cities  is  not  that  they  have  so  little  in  common,  but 
so  much  in  common  selfishness.  There  is  no  reason  for 
the  lack  of  unity  and  sympathy  between  them,  except  the 
littleness  of  human  nature.  The  only  things  that  divide 
them  are  petty  jealousy  and  narrow  sectionalism,  at  spirit 
which  cannot  be  justified  by  present  conditions.  If  they 
were  western  cities  whose  very  existence  depended  upon 
the  coming  of  a  new  railroad,  we  could  understand  it, 
but  as  things  are  it  is  unwarranted.  If  it  were  a  spirit  of 
rivalry  and  competition  it  would  not  be  so  bad,  for  good- 
natured  competition  is  healthful.  But  it  is  a  spirit  of 
jealousy  and  envv  which  would  disappear  if  the  two  cities 
were  ten  times  as  large.  Only  littleness  is  envious. 
Only  the  weak  are  jealous.  Situated  so  close  together, 
with  such  similarity  of  interests  and  common  needs,  such 
iealousy  and  suspicion  are  puerile. 

This  "ancient  plantation,"  as  our  historian  calls  it, 
has  not  fully  outgrown  its  childishness.    The  cities  of 
Norwalk  and  South  Norwalk  have  been  like  "children 
that  sit  in  the  market-place,   and  call    one  to  another; 
who  say,  'We  piped  unto  you,  and  ye  did  not  dance ;  we 
wailed,  and  ye  did  not  weep.' "     If  one  wanted  to  play 
wedding  the  other  would  rather  play  funeral.     One  asks 
for  a  bridge;  the  other  says  "No  bridge  if  I  can  help  it. 
One  says  "Give  me  water;"  the  other  agrees  and  the 
changes  its  mind.     One  wants  a  highway  widened ;  the 

109 


other  objects.  One  says,  "Come  over  into  my  yard  and 
play;"  the  other  flings  back,  "I  don't  want  to  play  in 
your  yard."  And  so  they  have  been  pulling  and  pouting 
at  one  another  like  naughty  little  girls  who  try  who  can 
make  the  ugliest  faces. 

But  25o-years-old  childishness  is  unbearable,  and 
this  anniversary  will  mark  the  beginning  of  new  things. 
Now  at  last  Norwalk  has  piped  and  all  her  daughters 
have  danced.  Now  at  last  the  whole  town  has  clasped 
hands  in  one  splendid  exhibition  of  town  patriotism.  The 
heartiness  with  which  all  sections  have  entered  into  this 
celebration  and  the  enthusiasm  with  which  it  has  been 
carried  forward  is  an  indication  that  we  have  misjudged 
our  own  feelings  toward  one  another,  and  a  pledge  that 
we  shall  forever  put  away  childish  things.  We  shall  not 
"play  funeral"  but  will  make  this  a  real  funeral  with  sec- 
tional jealousy  as  the  corpse.  Last  evening  at  sunset  all 
the  church  bells  of  the  town  announced  the  burial  and 
every  citizen  of  Norwalk  rejoiced.  This  anniversary  has 
developed  a  spirit  of  co-operation  that  has  surprised 
many  and  that  needed  only  some  such  event  to  pall  it 
out.  The  women's  clubs  to  which  no  little  praise  is  due, 
have  done  much  to  bring  about  unity  in  the  town  and 
we  are  confident  that  this  celebration  has  completed  the 
work.  The  petty  jealousies  which  have  divided  the  town, 
the  sectional  feeling  which  has  shown  itself  in  town  meet- 
ings, must  and  I  believe  will,  be  laid  aside.  From  this 
time  forward  let  us  have  harmony,  fraternity  and  recip- 
rocity in  our  town." 

Especially  must  the  two  cities  of  Norwalk  and  South 
Norwalk  work  side  by  side  for  their  mutual  advantage. 
Otherwise  they  will  both  be  left  behind  in  the  race  by 
other  cities  in  the  state  with  not  nearly  the  natural  facili- 
ties we  possess.  The  same  co-operation  that  has  made 
this  celebration  a  success  will  make  the  town  succeed.  If 
Norwalk  get  a  new  library,  South  Norwalk  will  rejoice. 
If  South  Norwalk  gets  a  new  hotel,  Norwalk  should  re- 
joice. If  a  new  factory  comes  to  any  part  of  the  town, 
it  should  be  a  cause  of  rejoicing  to  the  whole  town,  for  its 
pay-roll  will  include  citizens  of  all  The  Norwalks,  of 
Rowayton  and  Winnipauk.  Whatever  draws  people  to 
one  section  of  the  town  will  bring  them  to  every  section, 
for  with  the  bicycle  and  the  trolley  it  is  the  question  of 
rent  and  personal  preference  rather  than  distance  which 
decides  where  people  shall  make  their  homes.  And  if 
public  money  is  to  be  expended,  bare  honesty  requires 

170 


that  each  section  have  its  rightful  share.    "Live  and  let 
live"  is  a  good  maxim  to  run  a  town  by. 

What  I  plead  for  is  not  an  organic  union  between 
the  two  cities,  which  would  require  an  act  of  legislature, 
but  unity  which  requires  only  manliness  and  good  will.' 
From  this  time  forward,  the  man  who  appeals  to  section- 
al jealousy  in  the  town  meetings,  is  digging  up  a  corpse 
and  should  be  cried  down  by  all  honest  and  fair-minded 
men.  If  South  Norwalk  is  the  daughter  of  Norwalk, 
the  daughter  must  be  loyal  to  her  mother  and  the  mother 
must  act  toward  her  daughter  as  a  mother  should. 

Rev.  George  Drew  Egbert,  of  the  First  Congrega- 
tional Church,  said  he  was  embarrassed  for  two  reasons. 
P'irst,  he  was  a  pilgrim  and  a  stranger  in  the  land — he 
came  from  New  Jersey ;  second,  his  wife,  seeing  the  beau- 
tiful badges  of  the  D  A.  R.,  wanted  to  be  a  D.  A.  R.  her- 
self, looked  up  her  pedigree — and  found  all  her  ancestors 
Tories. 

The  New  England  parson  then  and  now.  Ministers 
are  not  called  on  to-day  for  fighting,  as  they  were  in  olden 
times,  but  called  for  bravery.  The  New  England  parson 
of  to-day  stands  for  lawfulness. 

The  ancient  parsons  had  dignity,  but  it  is  easy  to  be 
dignified.  Imagine  in  one  of  those  stocks  Jonathan  Ed- 
wards laying  down  his  pen  to  take  part  in  a  Yale-Har- 
vard football  game.  Referring  to  his  Catholic  brethren, 
''every  Protestant  rejoices  in  the  memory  of  the  splendid 
philanthropy  of  Father  Slocum,  whose  memory  is  still 
green  in  the  hearts  of  Norwalk  people." 

Mr.  Light  introduced,  in"  appropriate  words,  the 
Rev.  Charles  M.  Belden,  of  Wilton. 

Mr.  Belden  is  descended  from  one  of  the  old  Belden 
families,  who  settled  Norwalk. 

He  gave  a  pleasing  description  of  Wilton,  whose  In- 
dian name  means  Pleasant  Valley.  Wilton  is  the  eldest 
daughter  of  Norwalk,  having  been  separated  from  the 
latter  in  1725. 

Among  the  signers  were  the  names  Abbott,  Keeler, 
St.  John,  Betts,  Trowbridge,  Olmstead,  Gregory,  Keel- 
er,  etc.     Wilton   is  connected  with   Norwalk  by  com- 
munity of  interests.     During  the  sufferings  of  Norwalk 
Wilton  was  a  sufferer,  and  it  also  was  loyal  to  the  cause  o 
the  Revolutionists.     Wilton  is  a  town  which  has  kept  up 
a  high  standard  of  culture  and  literary  attainment.  Moses 
Stewart,  of  Wilton,  was  one  of  the  finest  Hebrew  scholai 
in  the  county,  and  the  speaker  mentioned  others  who  had 

171 


distinguished  themselves  in  letters  and  in  the  professions. 
In  closing,  Mr.  Belden  prophesied  a  time  when  Wilton 
and  Nor  walk  should  be  consolidated. 

Mr.  Light  introduced  the  Right  Rev.  Michael  Tier- 
ney,  bishop  of  Hartford. 

Bishop  Tierney  expressed  his  thanks  to  the  commit- 
tee for  the  honor  (lone  him  in  putting  him  on  the  pro- 
gramme after  so  long  non-residence  in  Norwalk.  He 
considered  Norwalk  his  home.  In  his  day  it  consisted 
of  two  little  villages,  one  called  the  ''Bridge"  the  other 
"Old  Well."  Now  there  were  two  cities. 

The  bishop  expressed  himself  in  favor  of  consolida- 
tion. He  thought  it  would  decrease  expenses,  and  be 
better  for  the  whole  town.  He  then  spoke  on  the  growth 
of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Norwalk. 

The  year  1828  witnessed  the  arrival  of  the  first  Irish 
Catholic  family  in  Norwalk.  In  1838  a  priest,  Rev.  Fath- 
er McDermott,  of  New  Haven,  came  here  to  officiate. 
In  1848,  the  people  of  Norwalk  sent  a  committee  to 
Bishop  Tyler  asking  for  a  resident  pastor.  In  1851  the 
church  was  dedicated.  After  several  priests  came  one 
whom  you  well  know,  the  Rev.  W  J.  Slocum,  and  now 
Father  Furlong,  who  has  purchased  the  building  directly 
in  front  of  St.  Mary's  Church  as  a  place  for  the  young 
men  of  his  parish  to  be  amused  and  instructed,  and  has 
also  improved  the  school  property. 

After  a  selection  by  Mertz's  Band,  Mr.  Light  intro- 
duced Hon.  Edward  H.  Knapp,  of  Bridgeport,  whom 
he  eulogized  as  a  lawyer  of  renown.  Mr.  Knapp  kept 
his  audience  laughing.  He  said  that  Bridgeport  had 
no  age  to  speak  of,  being  only  100  years  old.  "It  is  a 
pleasure  sometimes,"  he  said,  "to  come  to  a  place  where 
the  people  can  say,  see,  we  are  250  years  old,  and  here 
we  are  just  as  we  always  were."  Norwalk  people  appre- 
ciated this  hit  at  themselves,  and  applauded  and  laughed 
accordingly. 

Mr.  Knapp  paid  a  high  tribute  to  the  Rev.  Homer 
N.  Dunning,  of  South  Norwalk,  to  the  Rev.  James  M. 
Taylor,  formerly  of  Norwalk,  now  of  Vassar  college. 

I  should  speak  about  the  life  service  of  this  gentle- 
man whom  you  all  think  so  much  of  and  wHom  they 
thought  the  same  of  when  I  was  a  boy,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Selleck. 

He  mentioned  also  Prof.  Johnson,  of  Norwalk  ac- 
quaintance, who  wrote'the  history  of  Connecticut,  and  of 
others  and  pleaded  for  the  education  of  the  masses  as  a 

172 


means  of  preventing  crime.  The  large  allegiance  is 
called  patriotism;  there  is  another  patriotism,  that  of 
town  pride  and  doing  away  with  town  prejudice. 

Rev.  W.  J.  Slocum,  of  Waterbury,  was  the  last 
speaker  of  the  evening,  and  he  was  given  an  enthusiastic 
reception  by  his  former  parishioners  and  friends.  He 
said: 

"I  have  not  the  good  fortune  to  claim  Norwalk  as 
my  birthplace.  Most  of  you  came  to  Norwalk  by  acci- 
dent ;  I  came  by  choice.  I  made  it  my  home,  and  have 
always  felt  that  it  was  home.  It  is  six  years  since  I  left 
the  town.  For  a  man  to  come  back  after  six  years  and 
be  greeted  with  such  a  manifestation  of  feeling  as  was  ex- 
pressed here  to-night,  he  would  be  more  or  less  of  a  man 
not  to  be  impressed  by  it.  Were  I  asked  to  select  a  typi- 
cal community,  I  should  choose  Norwalk.  Your  history 
goes  back  to  the  very  early  history  of  Connecticut.  As 
you  look  back  you  have  everything  to  be  proud  of.  The 
early  settlers  of  Norwalk  did  not  fill  Mark  Twain's  de- 
scription of  the  colonists:  'They  first  fell  on  their  knees, 
and  then  they  fell  on  the  Aborigines.'  They  dealt  fairly. 
In  the  Revolutionary  war  they  were  in  every  field  from 
Lexington  to  Yorktown.  During  that  time  Norwalk 
took  it  into  its  head  that  it  was  going  to  have  the  county 
seat.  Bridgeport  shook  in  its  boots.  Not  a  man,  wo- 
man or  child  could  sleep  at  night.  I  think  that  Norwalk 
came  near  getting  it.  Bridgeport  had  to  send  to  New 
Haven,  and  get  some  of  those  cute  fellows  to  help  them 
out. 

"It  is  said  if  they  did  not  play  a  game  of  bluff,  they 
played  a  pretty  good  game  of  euchre.  I  would  pay  this 
tribute  to  Norwalk  people,  I  always  found  them  just  as 
Catholic  as  need  be.  They  were  always  ready  to  meet 
me  half  way.  When  I  was  finishing  St.  Mary's  Church 
$1,000  was  contributed  by  non-Catholics." 

The  meeting  closed  with  the  singing  of  America  by 
the  large  audience. 


178 


FOURTH  DAY,  SEPTEMBER  TWELFTH 


day  was  a  public  holiday  in  all  the 
Norwalks.  It  was  set  apart  for  a 
military  and  civic  parade  and  it  is 
agreed  that  the  success  of  it  far  sur- 
passed anything  of  the  kind  previous- 
ly known  in  the  town.  The  impossi- 
bility of  an  adequate  description 
of  the  various  divisions  of  the 
parade  will  be  recognized.  Suffice  it  but  to  say  that  in 
all  respects  the  parade  was  a  worthy  termination  of  the 
anniversary  celebration  and  an  important  day  for  Nor- 
walk.  Several  thousand  strangers  came  into  the  city 
from  every  quarter  and  there  was  a  great  outpouring 
of  the  people  of  the  towns  such  as  never  before  been  wit- 
nessed. The  order  ot  parade  arranged  by  trie  Grand 
Marshal,  Gen.  Russell  Frost,  was  as  follows: 

Line  of  March  —  Head  of  the  line  at  the  armory.  Up 
West  avenue  to  Wall  street,  to  Main  street,  to  West 
Main  street,  to  Catharine  street,  to  Main  street,  to  North 
avenue,  to  High  street,  to  Wall,  to  East  Wall,  to  Park 
street,  around  the  Park  to  East  avenue,  to  Van  Zandt 
avenue,  to  Fort  Point  street,  to  Washington  street,  to 
South  Main  street,  to  Concord  street,  to  Chestnut  street, 
to  Monroe  street,  to  Railroad  place,  to  North  Main  street, 
to  West  avenue,  to  armory. 

General  Russell  Frost,  Grand  Marshall,  and  staff  as 
Aides. 

THE  PARADE. 

Captain  A.  A.  Betts,  Marshal  of  the  Military  Division 

and  Aides. 

Fourth  Regiment, 

Col.  C.  W.  Hendrie  and  Staff, 

Resselles  Marine  Band,  of  New  York. 

Fourth  Section  Brigade  Signal  Corps. 

Fourth  Section  Machine  Gun  Battery. 

Third  Division  Naval  Battalion. 
Lieut.  Governor  E.  O.  Keeler,  and  Governor's  Staff. 

State  Officials. 

Norwalk  Town  Officials. 

City  of  Norwalk  Officials. 

City  of  South  Norwalk  Officials. 

Regent  and  Officers  of  the  Norwalk  Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 
Historical  Society  and  Celebration  Representatives. 

m 


SECOND  DIVISION. 

Assistant    Chief    F.    W.  Smith,  Marshal   of   Fireman's 

Division  and  Aides. 

Norvvalk  Fire  Department. 

Mertz's  Band  of  Port  Chester. 

Norwalk  Fire  Police. 
Phoenix  Engine  Company. 

Hope  Hose  Company. 
Pioneer  Hook  and  Ladder  Company. 

Steamer. 

Hose  Wagon  No.  i. 

Hose  Wagon  No.  2. 

Hook  and  Ladder  Truck. 

American  Band,  of  New  Haven. 

Bridgeport  Fire  Department. 

Stamford  Fire  Department. 

Drum  Corps. 
Chief  Bowman,  of  Stamford,  and  assistants. 

Oriental  Drum  Corps. 
Members  of  Stamford  Department. 

Steamer. 

Torrington  Band. 
Mutual  Company  of  Torrington. 

Old  Time  Drum  Corps. 
Old  Forgotten  Engine  Company,  of  Bethel. 

Hand  Engine. 

Westport  Fire  Police. 

Knowlton  Fife  and  Drum  Corps. 

Eagle  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  of  Darien. 

Waterbury  American  Band. 
Thomaston  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  and  Hose 

Carriage. 

Drum  Corps. 

Storm  Engine  Company,  of  Derby,  and  Apparatus. 

Drum  Corps. 

Pioneer  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  of  Westport. 

Hand  Engine. 

Drum  Corps. 

Vigilant  Engine  Co.,  Westport. 

Drum  Corps. 

Saugatuck  Hose  Company. 
St.  Aloysus  Drum  Corps. 
Compo  Engine  Company. 

Danbury  Band. 
Chief  Seeley  and  Danbury  Department. 

176 


New  Canaan  Department. 

Drum  Corps. 
Volunteer  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  Darien,  and 

Truck. 

Fourteenth  Regiment  Band,  of  New  York. 
Volunteer  Hook  and  Ladder  and  Hose  Company,  of 

Greenwich. 
Carriages  with  invited  guests. 


SOUTH  NORWALK  FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 


Colt's  Band,  of  Hartford. 

Marshal,  I.  M.  Hoyt. 

South  Norwalk  Fire  Police. 

New  London  Fire  Police. 

Chief  Baker,  of  South  Norwalk,  and  assistants. 

Putnam  Hose  Wagon. 
Old  Well  Hook  and  Ladder  Company.    Truck. 

Band. 

Eagle  Hose  Company  and  Hook  and  Ladder  Company, 
of  New  London. 

Drum  Corps. 
Ridgefield  Fire  Department. 

Band. 
Crescent  Hose  Company,  of  Thomaston. 

Drum  Corps. 
Hotchkiss  Hose  Company,  of  Derby. 

Wheeler  &  Wilson  Band. 
Citizen  Engine  Company,  of  Seymour. 

Band. 

Fire  Patrol,  of  Port  Chester. 

Mellor  Hose  Company,  of  Port  Chester. 

Protection  Engine  Company,  of  Port  Chester. 

Carriages  with  invited  guests. 


EAST  NORWALK  FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 


East  Norwalk  Fire  Police. 

Port  Chester  Cornet  Band. 

Chief  Wheeler  and  assistants. 

Mayflower  Hook  and  Ladder  Co.,  with  truck  bearing  a 

miniature  copy  of  the  yacht  "Mayflower." 

Chief  Lounsbury,  of  Danbury. 

Drum  Corps. 

Hose  Companies  7,  8  and  9,  of  Danbury  and  apparatus. 
Drum  Corps. 

in 


Southport  Department. 

Truck. 

Engine. 

Hose  Wagon. 

Drum  Corps. 

Fairfield  Hook  and  Ladder  Company. 

Truck. 

Drum  Corps. 
R.  M.  Bassett  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  of  Derby. 

Drum  Corps. 
Eureka  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  of  Bethel. 

Mayflower  Drum  Corps. 
Alert  Hose  Company,  of  Bethel. 

THIRD  DIVISION. 


Band. 

George  VV.  Raymond,  Marshal,  and  Aides. 
Thirty  Indians  on  Horseback. 

Float. 
Uncas  Tribe,  of  South  Norwalk. 

Cockenoe  Tribe,  of  Norwalk. 
Konckapatonah  Tribe,  of  Bridgeport. 

Paugnssett  Tribe,  of  Danbury. 

Hamonassett  Tribe,  of  New  Haven. 

Ansantawae  Tribe,  of  New  Haven. 

Toantic  Tribe,  of  Waterbury. 

Powahay  Tribe,  of  Stamford. 

Ponus  Tribe-,  of  New  Canaan. 

Tunxis  Tribe,  of  Waterbury. 

Monnawauk  Tribe,  of  Seymour. 

Delegates  from  Port  Chester  and  Thompsonville. 


FOURTH  DIVISION— CIVIC  ORGANIZATIONS. 


Captain  James  L.  Russell,  Marshal,  and  Aides. 
Old  Guard  Band,  of  New  Haven. 

American  Mechanics. 
John  H.  Plander  and  Aides. 

Banner  and  Flag. 

Four  men  in  Continental  Court  Dress,  and  twelve  men 

abreast  in  military  Uniform,  from  Danbury. 

Forty  Continentals. 

Allegorical  Float. 

Large  American  Flag. 

Lincoln  Council,  of  South  Norwalk,  and  visitors. 


177 


Members  of  State  Council. 

Rome  Italian  Band. 

South  Nonvalk  Italian  Society. 

George  Dewey  Society,  Bridgeport. 

Hungarian  Brass  Band,  of  New  York. 

South  Norvvalk  Hunyadi  Sick  Benefit  Society,  President 

Stephen  Balazs,  Marshal. 

First  Hungarian  Sick  Benefit  Society,  of  South   Nor- 
walk, President  Joseph  Schon,  Marshal. 
St.  Joseph's  Church  Society,  Julius  Elias,  Marshal. 
Bridgeport  Rakocy    Local  Sick  Benefit    Society,  John 

Louchak,  Marshal. 

These  sections  were  followed  by  twelve  floats,  some 
of  which  were  exceedingly  tasteful  and  beautiful.  A  full 
description  is  impossible.  They  appeared  in  the  follow- 
ing order: 

Norwalk  Lodge  of  Elks. 

Yacht  Columbia. 

Norwalk  Iron  Works. 

Willis  H.  Selleck. 

Comstock  Brothers. 

Hoyt  &  Sons,  New  Canaan. 

'  Hubbell  &  Keeler. 

Boston  Store. 

J.  T.  Sheehan. 

Krieger  &  Co. 

I.  G.  Hamilton. 

There  were  festivities  and  family  gatherings  and  re- 
unions of  old  and  new  residents  of  the  town  and  as  the 
last  rays  of  light  fell  upon  the  day  there  was  a  devout 
sense  of  thankfulness  that  the  four  days'  celebration  had 
ended  so  auspiciously. 


178 


PART         SECOND 
NORWALK'S      PATRIOTIC     RECORD 


SOLDIERS  IN  THE  INDIAN  WAR. 

T  a  Tovvne  meetinge,  January  the  I2th, 
1676,  the  Towne  in  consideration  of 
the  good  service  that  the  souldiers  sent 
out  of  the  towne  ingaged  and  per- 
formed by  them  in  the  Indian  wars, 
out  of  respect  and  thankfulness  to  the 
sayed  souldiers,  doe  with  one  consent 
and  freely,  give  and  grant  unto  so 
many  souldiers  as  were  in  the  service  at  the  direful 
swamp  fight,  twelve  acors  of  land;  and  eight  acors  of 
land  to  so  many  souldiers  as  were  in  the  next  considera- 
ble service;  and  foure  acors  to  those  souldiers  as  were 
in  the  next  considerable  service;  the  sayed  souldiers 
having  libertie  to  take  of  the  sayed  granted  lands  within 
the  bounds  of  the  towne,  provided  that  it  be  not  upon 
those  lands  that  are  prohibited,  and  also  such  lands  as 
are  pitched  upon  before  the  date  hereof  by  the  proprie- 
tors or  proprietor ;  provided  also  the  sayed  grant  is  only 
to  such  souldiers  as  shall  within  one  yeere,  and  possess 
and  improve  the  sayed  lands. 


NAMES  OF  SOLDIERS. 


John  Roach, 
Daniel  Benedict, 
Thomas  Gregory, 
Thomas  Hyatt,  . 
Joseph  Platt, 
Jonathan  Abbott, 
James  Betts, 
Samuel  Keeler, 
John  Crampton, 
James  Jupp, 
John  Belding,      . 
Jonathan  Stevenson, 


12  acres 

12  acres 

8  acres 

7  acres 
10  acres 
10  acres 

5  acres 
12  acres 

8  acres 
8  acres 

12  acres 


THE  ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

Graves  of  Revolutionary  Soldiers  Buried  in  Norwalk, 

Wilton  and  Westport,  Identified  by  the  Norwalk 

Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 

UNION  CEMETERY  NORWALK. 

Hezekiah  B'etts,  17601837,  private,  Sergeant,  pp.   165, 

486,  633,  650. 
Dr.  Jonathan  Knight,   1758-1829,  surgeons  mate,  pp. 

182,  635. 
Silas  Betts,  private,  p.  457. 

TOWN  HOUSE  CEMETERY— NORWALK. 

Isaac  Betts,  1760-1827,  private,  p.  486. 

John  Betts,  1809,  private,  p.  554. 

Jesse  Bedient,  1746-1824,  private,  p.  458. 

Jabez  Gregory,  1741-1824,  captain,  p.  457. 

Stephen  Hoyt,  1762-1827,  private. 

Jarvis  Kellogg,  1731-1815,  private,  p.  486. 

Hezekiah  Lockwood,  1745-1816,  private,  pp.  455,  484. 

557. 

Nathan  St.  John,  1720-1795,  private,  p.  486. 
Enoch  Scribner,  1756-1816,  sergeant  and  ensign,  pp.  456, 

491'  557- 
Stephen  St.  John,  1732-1801,  private,  p.  457. 

James  Selleck,  1732-1809,  private,  pp.  167,  486. 
EAST  NORWALK  CEMETERY— NORWALK. 

Hezekiah  Hanford,  1722-1812,  private  (coast  guard),  p. 

557- 

John  Eversley,  1/36-1798,  private,  pp.  486,  557. 
Stephen  St.  John,  1730-1785,  colonel,  p.  435. 
Daniel  Eversley,  1740-1825,  corporal,  pp.  457,  486,  557. 
Stephen  Lockwood,   1754-1830,  private,    pp.    162,  457, 

486,  538,  582. 

Samuel  Marvin,  Jr.,  1740-1820,  private,  pp.  457,  486. 
William  St.  John,  1763-1805,  private,  p.  557. 
James  Fitch,  third,  1758-1828,  private,  pp.  486,  457. 
Daniel  Hanford,  1746-1797,  private,  pp.  486,  557. 
James  Smith,  1756-1813,  private,  pp.  486,  557. 
Josiah  Raymond,  1736-1824,  private,  pp.  456,  586. 
David  Comstock,  1720-1782,  private,  pp.  455,  484. 

180 


ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCHYARD— NORWALK. 

Richard  Camp,  1741-1813,  sergeant,  p.  486. 
Asa  Hoyt.  1745-1806,  lieutenant,  p.  455,  484. 
Aaron  Keeler,  1759-1837,  ensign,  p.  231. 
John  Lock-wood,  1734-1816,  paymaster,  p.  245. 
John  Street,  1760-1833,  private,  p.  484. 
Hezekiah  Whitlock,  1768-1836,  private,  pp.  522,  394. 
Hezekiah  Whitney,  1790,  private,  p.  572. 

ROWAYTON— NORWALK. 

Moses  Webb,  1756-1850,  private,  pp.  637,  662. 

John  Richards,   1720-1790,  householder  keeping  watch, 

p.  490. 

Stephen  Raymond,  1757-1827,  private,  p.  484. 
Jesse  Reed,  1822,  householder  keeping  watch,  p.  490. 
Eli.  Reed;   1743-1811,  lieutenant  and  captain,  pp.  424, 

435,  487,  488,  619. 
Gershom    Raymond,    1725-1806,    committee    of   safety, 

county  congress,  and  household  keeping  watch. 
Paul  Raymond,  1750-1828,  clerk  and  sergeant,  pp.  456, 

487,488. 
Rev.   Moses   Mather,   D.D.,   1718-1806,  patriot  pastor, 

Middlesex  church,  taken  prisoner  by  the  British, 
1781,  New  York  prison  ship  six  months. 
John  Mather,  1747-1791,  private,  p.  619. 

PINE  ISLAND  CEMETERY— NORWALK. 

Nathan  Hoyt,  private,  p.  455. 

William  Bouton,  sergeant,  pp.  455,  484. 

Nathaniel   Raymond,   1788-1824,  private,  pp.  484,  505, 

651,  682.' 

Stephen  Hyatt,  1762-1842,  private,  pp.  557,  650.  602. 
William  Seymour,   1762-1821,  lieutenant,  pp.  499>  57&, 

647,  660. 
James  Seymour,  1752-1834,  quartermaster,  pp.  382,  455, 

651.' 

John  Seymour,  1734-1786,  private,  pp.  485. 
Nathaniel  Benedict,  1764-1832,  private,  pp.  455,  484,  650. 
Samuel  Keeler,  captain,  416. 
Stephen  Wood,  private,  pp.  486. 

Daniel  Hoyt,  1710-1786,  private,  pp.  422,  457»  65o»  662- 
Daniel  Lockwood,  private,  pp.  456,  459,  487. 
Uriah  Raymond,  1743-1821,  ensign,  pp.  424.  455.  4«4, 

626.  ' 

181 


John  Seymour,  1734-1766,  private,  pp.  485. 

William  Hoyt,  private,  pp.  490,  650. 

Evert  Qiiintard,  1762-1833,  private,  p.  651. 

James  Quintard,  private,  p.  636. 

John  Hoyt,  Jr.,  private,  p.  484. 

Nathaniel  Raymond,  Jr.,  private,  pp.  455,  484. 

Marvin  David,  1759-1842,  private,  p.  584. 

WESTPORT. 

Nathan  Adams,  1721-1782,  private,  p.  628. 

Peter  Adams,  1742-1806,  private,  pp.  456,  491,  523. 

Aaron  Adams,  1759-1836,  private,  pp.  54,  106. 

Samuel  Elmer,  1752-1777,  lieutenant. 

Josiah  Gregorv,  1761-1847,  private,  p.  456. 

Stephen  Hanford,  1747-1838,  private,  pp.  491,  523. 

Phineas  Hanford,  1713-1787,  corporal,  pp.  456,  491. 

David  Judah,  private,  p.  486. 

Ozias  Marvin,  captain,  pp.  454,  456. 

Josiah  Taylor,  1702-1781,  private,  pp.  238,  348,  394. 

Peter  Tuttle,  1755-1802,  private,  p.  67. 

Gamaliel  Taylor,  1736-1815,  lieutenant,  pp.  424,  456,  491, 

523- 

Jonathan  Taylor,  1759-1834,  private,  pp.  48,  92. 
Samuel  Wood,  1758-1843,  private. 

Prisoners  from  vicinity  of  Norwalk  in  prison  ships 
and  sugar  house  at  New  York  during  the  Revolution. 

Rev.  Moses  Mather,  D.D.,  taken  from  church  on  July 

22,  1781. 

John  Clock,  detained  six  months  in  New  York. 
Thaddeus  Bell,  Middlesex,  now  Darien. 
James  Bell. 
Joseph  Mather. 

WILTON. 

Joseph  Burchard,  1751  1842,  private,  p.  522. 

Moses  Betts.  1751-1821,  private,  p.  458. 

Isaiah   Betts,  unknown  sergeant,  ensign,  corporal,  pp. 

158,  336,  641,  650. 

Azor  Belden,  1740-1828,  sergeant  and  captain,  p.  458. 
Samuel  Comstock,    member    of    Cincinnati,   1739-1824, 

captain  and  major,  pp.  230,  344,  354,  360. 
David  Dunning,  1758-1833,  private,  p.  650. 

189 


Moses  Gregory,  1763-1837,  private,  p.  650. 
Abraham  Gregory,  1752-1790,  sergeant  and  captain,  pp 

443,  486i  557,  629. 
Nathan  Gilbert,  1746-1837,  sergeant  and  captain,  pp.  458, 

493.-  5  1  5,  522,  626,650. 

Deodate  Gaylord,  1760-1840,  private,  pp.  522,  650,  622. 
John  Grumman,  1746-1822,  private,  p.  458. 
Zadock  Hubbell,  1757-1813,  private,  pp.  458-477. 
Ezekiel  Hawley,  1748-1776,  sergeant,  p.  478. 
Daniel  Hurlbut,  1741-1827,  corporal  and  lieutenant,  pp. 

458,  522. 

Alvan  Hyatt,  1751-1835,  corporal,  pp.  67,  650. 
Nathan  Hubbell,  1730-1801.  corporal,  pp.  234,  348. 
Justus  Keeler,  1749-1821,  private,  pp.  458,  522. 
Thaddeus  Keeler,  1737-1812,  corporal,  pp.  458,  522. 
Hezekiah  Lyon,  dates  unknown,  private,  pp.  572,  616. 
Elias  Morehouse,  sergeant,  p.  458. 
Matthew  Marvin,  1705-1761,  corporal  and  sergeant,  pp. 

231.  349.  354,  363- 

Summers  Middlebrook,  1749-1835,  private,  pp.  458,  522. 
Thaddeus  Mead,  1762-1843,  private,  pp.  582,  650,  662. 
Samuel  Olmstead,  1747-1829,  ensign,  p.  458. 
Nathan  Olmstead,  dates  unknown,  private,  pp.  67,  458, 

522. 

Asahe!  Raymond,  1730-1782.  private,  p.  522. 
Zadock  Raymond,  1764-1841,  private,  pp.  657,  662. 
Isaac  Stewart,  1749-1820,  private,  p.  458. 
Samuel  St.  John,  dates  unknown,  private,  p.  67. 
Phineas  St.  John,  1760-18^33,  private,  pp.  458,  522. 
Thaddeus  Sterling,   1750-1837,  quartermaster,  pp.  443, 


- 

David  Whitlock,  1743-1810,  private,  458. 
Daniel  Westcott,  1719-1806,  private,  pp.  68,  417,  651, 

622. 

Davis  Westcott,  1719-1806,  private,  p.  164. 
Rev.  Levi  Dikeman,  1750-1835,  private,  p.  650. 
Benajah  Strong  Comstcck,  1755-1814,  private,  pp.  458> 

522. 

Samuel  Fitch,  1730,  1811,  sergeant,  pp.  55,  n,  H2,  238. 
Daniel  Gregory,  1743-1821,  private,  pp.  165,  650. 
Levi  Taylor,  1765-1853,  lieutenant,  pp.  57,  345.  65!- 
Marker  granted  by  Conn.  S.  A.  R. 

Graves  of  Revolutionary  soldiers  in  Norwalk,  Wil- 
ton and  Westport.  Identified  by  the  Norwalk  Chapter, 
D.  A.  R. 

188 


NORWALK   MEN    IN   THE   WAR   OF    1812. 


MILITIA. 


Andrew  Akin. 
John  Akin. 
Samuel  Akin. 
Daniel  T.  Bartram. 
Plum  Bearsley. 
Holly  Bell. 
Ammon  Benedict. 
Asa  Benedict. 
Lewis  Bennett. 
David  Betts. 
Philo  Betts. 
Andrew  Bigsby. 
John  Bigsbee. 
Isaac  Bishop,  Corp. 
Samuel  Bissa. 
Joseph  Boughton,  Capt. 
Isaac  Bouton. 
Thomas  Brady,  Muse. 
Charles  Brown. 
Lemuel  Camp. 
John  Cannon. 
Roswell  Ceed,  Corp. 
Isaac  Church. 
James  Clock,  Lieut. 
David  Comstock. 
Alanson  Cowley. 
Bud  Finch. 
Cyrus  Fitch,  Corp. 
Stephen  Fitch. 
Horace  Gills,  Muse. 
Isaac  Gred. 
John  Gregory. 
John  Griffith. 
Thomas  Hanford. 
Seeley  Hason. 
Ira  Hoyt. 

Ralph  Hoyt,  Ensign. 
Samuel  Hoyt. 
Stephen  Hoyt. 
Walter  B.  Hoyt. 
Ebenezer  Hyatt. 
Charles  Jarvis,  Corp. 


Daniel  Nash. 
John  W.  Nash. 
Nathan  Nash. 
Conrad  Newkirk,  Sergt. 
David  B.  Nichols. 
Lewis  Perry. 
Charles  Raymond. 
George  A.  Raymond. 
Jabez  Raymond. 
Uriah  Raymond,  Jr. 
Thomas  Raymond. 
Waters  Raymond. 
Isaac  Rockwell. 
David  Scofield. 
Richard  Scott,  Sergt. 
Nearza  Scribner. 
Lyman  Seeley. 
Frederick  Selleck. 
Wray  Sellick,  Corp. 
James  Seymour,  Sergt. 
Uriah  Seymour,  Corp. 
Samuel  B.  Skidmore,  Corp. 
Chapman  Smith. 
Charles  Smith,  Muse. 
Ebenezer  Smith. 
Frederick  Smith. 
Henry  Smith. 
James  .Smith. 
Joel  Smith. 
John  L.  Smith,  Corp. 
Joseph  St.  John. 
Stephen  St.  John. 
Henry  Street. 
William  L.  Street. 
John  Strut,  Sergt. 
Samuel  Strut. 
Adam  Swan,  2nd  Lieut. 
Uriah  Tailor. 
Isaac  Warren. 
LeAvis  Waterbury. 
Charles  Weed. 
David  Weed. 


184 


Uriah  Johnson.  Raymond  Mathews. 

William  Johnson.  George  Weed. 

Oliver  Jones.  Henry  Weed. 

Joseph  Keeler,  Sergt.  Jarvis  Weed. 

Ezaih  Kellogg.  James  B.  Weed. 

Tames  S.  Kellogg.  John  L.  Weed. 

Matthew  Kellogg,  Sergt.        Scudder  Weed. 
John  Knapp,  Corp.  Sellich  Weed,  Sergt. 

Benjamin  Little.  William  Weeks. 

Jacob  Little.  Lewis  Whitney,  Sergt. 

David  Lock-wood,  Corp.          Matthew  Wilcox. 
Nehemiah  Lockwood,  Lieut.  William  Willcox,  Sergt. 

Col.  John  Wireman. 

Ira  Marvin,  Sergt.  Joseph  Wood. 

ENLISTED  MEN. 

Henry  Allen.  Abel  Hubbell,  Sergt. 

Ethus  Barthis.  Isaac  E.  Johnson. 

Moses  Beers.  Joseph  Knapp,  Corp. 

Seth  Bouton.  Charles  Lawrence. 

Lewis  Brown.  Daniel  Nutting,  Corp. 

Samuel  Buttery.  Adam  Parker. 

George  El  wood.  Zery  Stevens. 

Shubael  Elwood,  Sergt.  John  Webb. 
Philo  Hoyt. 


Names  of  U.  S.  Volunteers  who  served  in  the  Civil 
War, — 1861-1865,  and  are  buried  in  cemeteries  as  fol- 
lows : 

PINE  ISLAND. 

John  B.  Bouton,  Norwalk. 
Wm.  S.  Pouton,  Norwalk. 
Albert  Vantasel,  Norwalk. 
Theo.  B.  Benedict,  Norwalk. 
Geo.  Joyce,  Norwalk. 
Ruben  Rogers,  Norwalk. 
Oscar  Tuttle,  Norwalk. 
Geo.  H.  Meeker,  Norwalk. 
Geo.  W.  Smith,  Norwalk. 
John  W.  Whiteman,  Norwalk. 
Sam.  F.  Smith,  Norwalk. 
James  E.  Parks,  Norwalk. 
N.  S.  Tuttle,  Norwalk. 

185 


Francis  Thomas,  New  York. 

Wm.  Miller,  Pennsylvania. 

Wm.  Hoyt,  Norwalk. 

Geo.  McCallins,  Norwalk. 

J.  L.  Byington,  Norwalk. 

Albert  Warren,  New  -York. 

Chas.  Jennings,  Norwalk. 

Geo.  E.  Merrills,  Norwalk. 

Steven  Byxbee,  Norwalk. 

Harry  Goldspink,  Norwalk. 

N.  Crosman,  Norwalk. 

Wm.  Nash,  Norwalk. 

John  F.  Byxbee,  Norwalk. 

Geo.  Wood,  Norwalk. 

Wm.  Mayhew,  Norwalk. 

Henry  C.  Holmes,  Norwalk. 

Henry  Masson,  Massachusetts. 

Wm.'P.  Smith,  Norwalk. 

Thos.  Willson,  New  York. 

Wm.  Davis,  New  York. 

Henry  C.  Taylor,  Norwalk. 

Orlander  Vanordu,  Washington. 

H.  Batchman,  Unknown. 

Wm.  Bauten,  Norwalk. 

H.  Benedict,  Norwalk. 

Mrs.  Douglas  Fowler,  wife  of  Douglas  Fowler. 

Also  nine  others  unknown. 

ROWAYTON  CEMETERY— FIVE  MILE  RIVER. 

Geo.  Dingey,  Norwalk. 
G.  Johnson.  Not  known. 
Chas.  Ives,  New  York. 
Chas.  Cloch,  Darien. 
Wm.  Hamon,  Darien. 
Wm.  Wood,  Naugatuck. 
Henry  Johnson,  Norwalk. 
Henry  Hallett,  Norwalk. 
Gilbert  Vincent,  Darien. 
James  E.  Talmadge.  Norwalk. 
Wm.  Coperwaith,  New  York. 
John  Mannus,  New  York. 
David  Scofield,  Norwalk. 
Henry  Baker,  Norwalk. 
Wm.  H.  Brady,  Unknown. 
Edward  Mills,  Unknown. 

186 


Lyman  Finch,  Norwalk. 
S.  H.  Meeker,  Darien. 
Geo.  A.  Hoyt,  Norwalk. 
Wm.  H.  Ferris,  Norwalk. 
Steven  Ferris,  Norwalk. 
Wm.  McGovern,  Unknown. 
James  Gregory,  Unknown. 
Fred.  Morton,  Massachusetts. 
James  Whitney,  Darien. 
John  H.  Tooker,  Darien. 
Elias  Johnson,  Unknown. 
Ira  Bishop,  Unknown. 
Edward  Schnell,  Pennsylvania. 
Martin  Ingersol,  Norwalk. 
Chas.  H.  Smith,  Unknown. 

others  unknown  without  identification. 


EAST  NORWALK. 

N.  Gaming,  3rd  New  York. 
Chas.  St.  Johns,  Norwalk  Sol. 
Wm.  Bates,  New  York  Sol. 
Wm.  Wheeler,  Norwalk. 
Geo.  Redman,  New  York. 
Washington  Youngs,  New  York. 
Wm.  Goodwin,  New  York. 
J.  E.  Lacy,  Norwalk. 
Henry  Raymond,  Norwalk. 
Thos.  Fitch,  Norwalk. 
Francis  Jones,  Norwalk. 
J.  A.  Ames,  Norwalk. 
Chas.  Paddock,  New  York. 
Wm    R.  Knapp,  Norwalk. 
Geo.  Knapp,  Norwalk. 
Morris  Jennings,  Norwalk. 
Wm.  Tubbs,  Norwalk. 
H.  H.  Grey,  Norwalk. 
Albert  Whitney,  New  York. 
Jacob  Witztine,  New  York. 
Chas.  Knapp,  Norwalk. 
Clark  Osborn,  Norwalk. 

Eph.  Smith,  New  York.  , 

Seven  others  unknown,  but  are  identified  as  soldie 
graves. 


SOLDIERS'  GRAVES. 

The  following  lists  comprise  names  of  U.  S.  Volun- 
teer soldiers  interred  in  the  several  cemeteries  in  Nor- 
walk: 

RIVERSIDE  CEMETERY. 

Anthony  R.  Canfield,  2d  Lieut.,  Co.  F,  8th  C.  V. 

James  Westerneld,  Co.  K,  48  N.  Y.  Vols. 

John  R.  Brown,  Co.  F,  i;th  C.  V. 

George  W.  Weed,  Co.  H,  i;th  C.  V. 

Joseph  Packard,  Capt.,  39th  N.  J.  Vols. 

Theodore  Brush,  Co.  F,  i;th  C.  V. 

Albert  R.  Bishop,  Co.  H,  7th  N  Y.  H.  A. 

Thomas  F.  Nichols,  Co.  D,  5ist  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Cornelius  L.  Henry,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Julius  A.  Elendorf,  Co.  I,  ist  N.  J.  Vols. 

Tohn  Weston,  Co.  B,  2Qth  C.  V. 

Thomas  B.  Weed,  ist  Lieut.,  Co.  A,  i;th  C.  V. 

John  Ainley,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Frederick  Laramie,  Co.  B,  5th  N.  Y.  H.  A. 

Charles  Smith,  ist  Lieut.,  Co.  G,  i7th  C.  V. 

General  Nelson  Taylor,  U.  S.  Army. 

Enos  Kellogg,  Capt.,  Co.  H,  i7th  C.  V. 

Wm.  R.  Knapp,  Co.  C,  5th  C.  V. 

David  M.  Lane,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  Samuel  Orton,  U.  S.  Army. 

P.  L.  Cunningham,  Lieut.  Col.,  8th  C.  V. 

Richmond  Nisbet,  Co.  K,  I3th  C.  V. 

Alanson  S.  Merwin,  Co.  G,  23d  C.  V. 

Nathan  B.  Clark,  8th  N.  J.  Vols. 

Cyrus  C.  Barber,  Co.  K,  25th  C.  V. 

Edgar  Buttery,  Co.  A,  I7th  C.  V. 

Andrew  Rusco,  Co.  G,  loth  C.  V. 

George  Taylor,  Co.  C,  2d  C.  V. 

Christian  Lack,  Co.  E,  ist  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Charles  Lawrence,  Co.  C,  nth  C.  V. 

William  Waiter  Farwell,  Co.  F,  6th  C.  V. 

William  W.  Westlake,  Co.  A,  i/th  C.  V. 

Tohn  Dechel,  Co.  B,  ngth  N.  Y.  Vols. 

William  A.  Titus,  Co.  A,  i;th  C.  V. 

Thomas  O'Neal,  Co.  G,  15*  N.  Y.  H.  A. 

Austin  Pope,  Co.  B,  7th  N   J.  Vols. 

Augustus  B.  Brown,  Co.  D,  ist  Conn.  Cav. 

Emanuel  Vanclief,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Henry  M.  Hobert,  Co.  B,  25th  C.  V. 

188 


Elijah  Ballard,  Co.  G,  6th  N.  Y.  H.  A. 
Isaac  Smith,  Co.  F,  i7th  C.  V. 
Alonzo  P.  Abbott,  Co.  E,  i2th  C.  V. 
John  W.  Williams,  U.  S.  Navy. 
Andrew  J.  Gilbert,  U.  S.  Navy. 
George  R.  Kellogg,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 
Robert  Bones,  Co.  C,  i;th  C.  V. 
One  Unknown. 

ST.  PAUL'S  CEMETERY. 

Frank  B.  Smith,  ist  Lieut.,  Co.  C,  2d  111.  Art. 
George  F.  Daskam,  2d  Conn.  Light  Battery. 
Albert  H.  Wilcoxson,  Lieut.  Col.,  I7th  C.  V. 
Edward  G.  Bishop,  Asst.  Paymaster,  U.  S.  Navy. 
Oliver  S.  Bishop,  Hospital  Steward,  27th  C.  V. 
David  St.  John,  War  1812. 
Capt.  Edward  Taylor,  War  1812. 
Capt.  Henry  Wilson,  U.  S.  Navy. 
Dr.  John  W.  McLessa,  Co.  H,  37th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and 
Surgeon  in  U.  S.  Army. 

ST.  MARY'S  CEMETERY. 

James  Ellis,  Co.  A,  I5th  N.  Y.  Eng. 

Joseph  Strapp,  Co.  G,  2d  N.  Y.  H.  A. 

John  Harkins,  Co.  H,  8th  C.  V. 

Joseph  McCormick,  Co.  H,  ist  Conn.  Cavalry. 

Thomas  Gilhooly,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Peter  Boyle,  Co'.  H,  8th  and  Co.  H,  I4th  C.  V. 

Patrick  Ford,  Co.  A.,  I7th  C.  V. 

James  O'Connor,  Co.  A.,  3d  C.  V. 

Martin  B.  Leonard,  Co.  D,  8th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Joseph  Kearney,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Michael  McGowan,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Wm.  Cockefur,  Co.  H,  9th  N.  Y. 

John  Brown,  Co.  H,  I3th  C.  V. 

James  Hopkins,  Co.  E,  i7oth  N.  Y.  Vols. 

James  McCoy,  Co.  I,  35th  N.  J.  Vols. 

James  O'Brien,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

John  Cahill,  Co.  F,  17th  C.  V. 

John  Hennessey,  Co.  G,  U.  S.  Inf. 

John  Hayes,  38th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

John  Dugan,  Co.  F,  I7th  C.  V. 

Martin  Burns,  69th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Warren  Sheldon,  Co.  K,  ist  Conn.  Cavalry. 

m 


John  Cahill,  Co.  M,  2d  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 

Henry  Grady,  Co.  F,  8th  C.  V. 

Richard  Colburt,  N.  Y.  Reg. 

Michael  O'Brien,  Co  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Henry  Layton,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Michael  Shields,  Co.  F,  69th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

John  Welch,  Co.  E,  i2th  C.  V. 

Thomas  Farrell,  Co.  F,  I7th  C.  V. 

Armstead  M.  Pomeroy,  U.  S.  Navy. 

James  O'Brien,  N.  J.  Reg. 

John  McCormick,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Albert  Ayers,  Record  unknown. 

Patrick  Dunbary,  Co.  K,  25th  C.  V. 

John  Tracy,  Co.  F,  i;th  C.  V. 

Thomas  Tierney,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

David  O'Connor,  Co.  A,  3d  and  Co.  G,  8th  C.  V. 

Patrick  Fitzpatrick,  Co.  E,  I2th  C.  V. 

John  Boyce,  Co.  G  and  L,  2d  Conn.  H.  A. 

Elbert  A  very,  Co.  B,  I7th  C.  V. 

Michael  Fitzgerald,  Co.  C,  2d  N.  H.  Vols. 

Michael  Carew,  New  Jersey  Vols. 

UNION  CEMETERY. 

Gould  J.  Jennings,  Capt.  Co.  G,  s8th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

James  Hearn,  Co.  I,  i7th  C.  V. 

Albert  Deforest,  Co.  A,  I4th  C.  V. 

Henry  Allen,  Lieut.  Col.,  I7th  C.  V. 

Ebenezer  F.  Stevens,  U.  S.  N. 

James  L.  Allen,  Sergt ,  Co.  D,  7th  C.  V. 

Joseph  Comstock,  Co.  G,  23d  C.  V. 

Jesse  Sherwood,  Co.  C,  28th  C.  V. 

Theodore  L.  Beckwith,  Capt.  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

George  Marvin,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Edwin  Hawley,  Co.  I,  loth  C.  V. 

Robert  Flynn',  Co.  A,  i^ih  C.  V. 

Ebenezer  J.  Pattenden,  Co.  H,  I7th  C.  V. 

Win.  Henry  Merrill,  Co.  G,  5th  C.  V. 

George  W.  Burtis,  Co.  G,  loth  C.  V. 

James  Banks,  Co.  B,  i6sth  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Allen  P   Hubbell,  Co.  C,  27th  C.  V. 

Moses  Ansbury  Hill,  Major  U.  S.  Army. 

Henry  Foster,  Co.  L,  1st  Conn.  Cav. 

Eli  R.  L.  Kent,  Co.  A,  4th  N.  Y.  H.  A. 

Charles  Cargill,  Co.  F,  i7th  C.  V. 

Wm.  Hoey,  36*  N.  Y.  Vols. 

190 


Wm.  L.  Bodwell,  Co.  G,  27th  C.  V. 

Charles  L.  Smith,  Co.  F,  i;th  C   V 

Arthur  W.  Dudley,  Co.  B,  171*1  C.  V. 

Albert  H.  Lock-wood,  Co.  E,  23d  C  V 

Samuel  Clark,  U.  S.  N. 

Edwin  R.  Lineburg,  5th  C.  V. 

Edwin  Lineburg,  Co.  H,  8th  C  V 

John  T.  Brown,  Co.  C,  2;th  C.  V. 

Gersham  Lockwood,  War  1812. 

Francis  L.  Mead,  roth  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Thomas  Brady,  War  1812;   for  Oliver,  5th  C.  V. 

Edward  Grindrod,  Co.  A,  i7th  C.  V. 

Francis  A.  Volk,  Co.  C,  2ist  Pa.  Vols. 

Horace  A.  Cockefur,  Co.  I,  28th  C.  V. 

Ferdinand  Griffith,  U.  S.  N. 

Robert  N.  Perry,  Co.  F,  i;th  C.  V. 

John  Cockefur,  Co.  H,  8th  C.  V. 

Henry  M.  Prowett,  Co.  E,  I2th  C.  V. 

James  L.  Ambler,  Co.  C,  27th  C.  V. 

James  H.  Mitchell,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Edwin  Carpenter,  Co.  K,  I7th  C.  V. 

Nathaniel  W.  Brotherton,  Co.  G,  Hth  U.  S.  I. 

Philo  Johnson,  Co.  D,  ijrth  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Hiram  W.  Gorham,  Co.  G,  i7th  C.  V. 

Frederic  P.  Godfrey,  Co.  H,  ist  C.  V.,  and  Co.  M,  ist 

Conn.  H.  A. 

Charles  Murray,  Co.  F,  i7th  C.  V. 
Charles  E.  Doty,  Lieut.  Co.  F,  iTth  C.  V. ;  first  Union 

soldier  buried  in  Norwalk. 
Owen  Murphy,  Co.  E,  5th  C.  V. 
Justice  Disbrow,  Co.  I,  41  st  Ohio  Vols. 
Orion  S.  Ferry,  Major  General  U.  S.  Vols. 
Henry  H.  Williams,  Co.  A,  17th  C.  V. 
George  Lowe,  Co.  B,  2d  Conn.  H.  A. 
Gilbert  Bogart,  Lieut.  Co.  E,  i2th  C.  V. 
D.  C.  Palmer,  Co.  A,  6th  C.  V. 
John  E.  Hoyt,  Co.  A,  28th  C.  V. 
Alfred  Swords,  Co.  A,  I7th  C.  V. 
George  Kellogg,  Co.  C,  27th  C.  V. 
Jacob  Schwartz,  Co.  I,  Qth  N.  Y.  Vols. 
Wm.  O.  Godfrey,  Co.  F,  I7th  C.  V. 
Charles  E.  Hyatt,  Co.  A,  22d  N.  Y.  S.  M. 
John  Jarvis,  ist  Sergt.  Co.  A,  17th  C.  V. 
Henry  M.  Seers,  Co.  A,  14*  C.  V. 
Charles  E.  Blackman,  U.  S.  A. 
Samuel  Wyman,  Co.  A,  iTth  C.  V. 

iw 


Alfred  Hall,  Co.  E,  5th  N.  Y.  H.  A. 

Wallace  B.  Parks,  Co.  F  ist  N.  Y.  Mounted  Rifles. 

Alexander  Lounsbury,  Co.  A,  i/th  C.  V. 

Henry  A.  Whetmore,  Capt.  2d  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Joshua  Lounsbury,  Co.  F,  I7th  C.  V. 

Wm.  H.  Fox,  Co.  A,  i;th  C.  V. 

Sylvester  Keeler,  Co.  F,  i/th  C.  V. 

Nathan  Nash,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Robert  L.  Ells,  ist  Lieut.  Co.  A,  i;th  C.  V. 

Wm.  H.  Hamilton,  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Hiram  I,  Finch,  Co.  F,  6th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Edwin  G.  Hoyt,  U.  S.  N. 

Edward  Shepard,  7th  Ind.,  Battery  N.  Y. 

Theodore  Coleman,  Co.  G,  i96th  Pa.  Vols. 

Daniel  Hoyt  Blake,  Chaplain  Christian,  Conn. 

Roswell  Taylore,   Co.  B,  I3th  C.  V. 

Edward  F.  Lyon,  2d  Conn.  H.  A. 

Charles  H.  Sargent,  Co.  A,  I3th  N.  Y. 

Gustave  Richter,  Record  Unknown. 

Frank  M.  Platt,  Co.  G,  loth  C.  V. 

George  W.  Fink.  Co.  H,  5th  U.  S.  Art. 

Capt.  Samuel  Keeler,  Conn.  Mil. 

John  Cotter,  U.  S.  N. 

Edward  Hawley  Fitch,  Co.  G,  5th  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Wm.  De  F.  Prentiss,  Capt.  3 ist  N.  Y.  Vols. 

George  H.  Stevens,  Co.  H,  i7th  C.  V. 

James  Barbour,  H.  S.,  2 ist  Conn.  Vols. 

C.  Fred  Betts,  Capt.  Co.  F,  I7th  C.  V. 

Lewis  Benedict.  Co.  H,  I7th  C.  V. 

Wm.  S.  Bouton,  Sergt.  Co.  G,  28th  C.  V. 

Isaac  Camp,  Co.  F,  i7th  C.  V. 

Monson  Hoyt,  ist  Sergt.  Co.  E,  5th  C.  V. 

Tames  L.  Dyes,  Co.  A,  17th  C.  V. 

James  Charlton,  U.  S.  N. 

Edward  Nelson,  Co.  E,  5th  C.  V. 

Robert  S.  Hubble,  Record  Unknown. 

James  W.  Crozier,  I2th  U  S.  I. 

Andrew  Smith,  J7th  Vermont  Inf. 

Augustus  Burton,  Co.  B,  29th  C.  V. 

Cornelius  Nash,  Co.  B.  2Qth  C.  V. 

Peter  Cronk,  Co.  H,  i28th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Edward  Moffit,  Co.  D,  7th  C.  V. 

Charles  Annin,  New  York  Vols. 


NORWALK  MEN  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  SPAIN, 

1898. 

Lieut.  Col.  Frederick  A.  Hill,  Judge  Advocate. 

Capl.  Reuben  M.  Rose,  Co.  L,  3rd  Conn.  Vol.  Inf. 

First  Lieut.  William  W.  Bloom,  Co.  L,  3rd  Conn. 
Vol.  Inf. 

Second  Lieut.  William  I.  Comstock,  Co.  L,  3rd 
Conn.  Vol.  Inf. 

Second  Lieut.  Howard  J.  Bloomer,  Co.  F,  3rd  Conn. 
Vol.  Inf. 

CO.  L,  3rd  CONN.  VOL.  INF. 

ist  Sergt.  John  H.  Smith. 
"          Wm.  Rauch. 

Albert  H.  Buttery. 
Q.  M.  Sergt.  George  C.  Meekan. 
Sergt.  Cyrus  J.  Crabbe. 
"       Henry  H.  Payne. 
"      John  H.  Chase. 
Corp.  Milo  C.  Brown. 

Arthur  E.  Godfrey. 
Coles  M.  Flewellin. 
"       Ira  C.  Lock  wood. 
"       Frank  H.  Webber. 
"       Frank  Neuge.bauer. 
"       Edward  Brotherton. 
"      Albert  R.  Scofield. 
"       William  G.  Abendroth. 

John  H.  Beagan. 
"       Einil  Durbeck. 
"       William  H.  Guthrie. 
Henry  W.  Hopson. 
Peter  F.  O'Brien. 
"      James  A.  Riley. 
"       Albert  Tetzner. 
"       William  J.  Troy. 
Musician  Harvey  S.  Richmond. 

"          Frank  Eigner. 
Private  Edward  Burkedal. 
"        Fred  Brown. 

Ulysses  G.  Buttery. 
•'        Matthew  Britt. 
"        David  Brennan. 


Private  George  C.  Castle. 
John  J.  Cahill. 
James  Crawford. 
Robert  Cullen. 
Ernest  B.  Cornell. 
Charles  A.  Davis. 
WHliam  Donnelly. 
Michael  J.  Dougherty. 
Royal  A.  Ellis. 
John  E.  Fell. 
George  F.  Flinn. 
John  Gorman. 
Frederick  W.  Godfrey. 
George  W.  Hopkins. 
Beekman  F.  Hall. 
Joseph  F.  Henry. 
Wm.  H.  Hadley. 
John  Kincella. 
Joe  Keller. 
John  J.  Keogh. 
Philip  J.  Landrigan. 
Arthur  G.  Lovejoy. 
Thomas  J.  Me  Garry. 
Wallace  W.  Morris. 
Arthur  S.  Norman. 
John  W.  Oakes. 
Charles  H.  Osborn. 
Charles  E.  Parker. 
Warden  B.  Phillips. 
John  Peterson. 
Frank  P.  Rooney. 
Joseph  Sargent. 
Joseph  F.  Sturm. 
Valentine  Sturm. 
George  L.  Sullivan. 
Wm.  Sheehan. 
Peter  Storey. 
John  P.  Weyerhauser. 

Hospital  Steward  Hubert  F.  Pierce  (N.  C.  S.). 

Corp.  George  Brotherton,  Co.  H,  3rd  Conn.  Vol. 
Inf. 

Sergt.  Howard  N.  Godfrey,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  Willis  L.  Cavenagh,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

m 


Private  Richard  Fitzgerald,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  Charles  F.  Guarnieri,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  Anthony  B.  Ghiotto,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  William  Gilmore,  Battery  B,  ist  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  Charles  Leppert,  Battery  B,  1st  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

Private  Anthony  Stenger,  Battery  B,  1st  Conn. 
Heavy  Artillery. 

First  Sergt.  Wm.  T.  Ainley,  U.  S.  A.,  Signal  Corps. 

Sergt.  Major  John  D.  Milne,  ist  Conn.  Vol.  Inf. 

Private  Geo.  W.  Hyatt,  Co.  M,  41  st  U.  S.  Vol.  Inf. 


196 


INDIAN  TROUBLES  SOON  AFTER 
GRANTING  OF  THE  CHARTER 
CREATING  THE  TOWN  OF 
NORWALK,  SEPTEMBER  ELEVENTH 
SIXTEEN  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY-ONE 

E  FIND  our  Military  History  begins 
in  1660,  and  Sergeant  Richard  Olm- 
stead  is  the  first  name  of  which  we 
have  any  record  as  a  soldier.  He, 
with  Thomas  Fitch,  was  appointed 
by  the  Colony  to  look  after  the 
Indians,  who  began  to  be  very  trouble- 
some. These  two  men  had  under 
their  command  eighteen  horsemen,  four  of  them  from 
Norwalk,  so  we  here  begin  our  Military  History  on  a 
small  scale,  but  these  eighteen  horsemen  had  a  very 
quieting  effect  on  the  Indians,  and  they  did  not  cause 
our  people  much  trouble  until  1675,  when  again  they 
began  to  make  trouble,  and  Norwalk  was  called  upon 
to  furnish  its  quota,  which  it  did.  These  men  served 
under  Capt.  Seeley,  of  Stratford,  and  they  took  part  in  a 
severe  swamp  fight  Dec.  I9th,  1675,  in  which  fight  brave 
Capt.  Seeley  was  killed.  The  soldiers  who  were  from 
Norwalk  were:  John  Roach,  Daniel  Benedict,  Samuel 
Keeler  and  Jonathan  Stevenson.  Following  this  fight 
the  Indians  kept  our  people  constantly  on  the  alert  and 
had  several  severe  fights.  The  number  of  soldiers  from 
Norwalk  was  increased  by  the  enlistment  of  Thomas 
Gregory,  Thomas  Hyatt,  Joseph  Platt,  Jonathan  Abbott, 
John  Crampton,  James  Tupp  and  John  Belding.  These 
men  all  did  heroic  service  and  the  town  at  that  time 
showed  that  their  services  were  appreciated  by  calling  a 
town  meeting  held  in  1676.  It  was  voted,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  good  service  rendered  the  town  by  the  above- 
named  soldiers,  to  give  them  each  twelve  acres  of  land. 
After  this  the  early  settlers  got  along  very  well  until 
1744  to  1763,  when  again  Norwalk  was  called  upon  to 
furnish  its  quota  of  soldiers  to  fight  the  Indians  and 
French  in  the  year  1757.  There  were  350  men  of  the 
regular  army  stationed  in  Norwalk.  They  erected  win- 
ter quarters  and  remained  here  all  winter,' and  the  town 

199 


provided  for  them,  at  no  small  cost,  for  the  town  at  that 
time  was  small.     But  the  people  knew  they  had  to  make 
sacrifices,  so  did  all  they  could  cheerfully."    A  little  later 
we  iind  soldiers  from  Norwalk  in  an  expedition  to  Cape 
Breton,  who  were  present  at  the  capture  of  Louisburg. 
Again  they  fought  at  Montmorency,  Quebec,  at  Crown 
Point  and  Ticonderoga.     The  Wa'r  of  the  Revolution 
was  now  upon  our  people  and  from  1775  to  1783  Nor- 
walk was  well  represented,  for  the  Colonial  Army  in  the 
spring  of  1775,  the  Fifth  Regiment,  was  mainly  recruited 
from   Fairfield  County,  and  Norwalk  sent  a  company. 
The  officers  of  this  company  were  Capt.  Matthew  Mead, 
First  Lieut.  Levi  Taylor,  Second  Lieut.  Wm.  Seymour. 
There, were  a  large  number  of  the  citizens  of  Nor- 
walk, but  we  are  unable  from  the  records  to  obtain  the 
names  of  all  those  who  enlisted  from  Norwalk.    This 
company    saw    very    severe    service    during    its    seven 
months'  campaign.     Again  in  1777  we  were  called  upon 
to  furnish  another  regiment  from  Fairfield  county.  This 
regiment  was  called  the  Fifth  Regiment,  Conn.  Line, 
and  in  it  Norwalk  was  again  represented  by  nearly  a 
whole  company,  who  were  to  serve  three  years  or  dur- 
ing the  war.     This  regiment  saw  severe  service,  was  en- 
gaged at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  October,  1777;  win- 
tered with  Washington  at  Valley  Forge,  winter  of  1777 
and  1778;  was  at  battle  of  Monmouth,  June  1778;  win- 
tered at  Redding,  Conn.,  winter  of  1778  and  1779,  in 
what  is  now  Putnam  Park.     Our  men  in  this  regiment 
were  kept  constantly  on  'the  move  from  this  time  until 
the  expiration  of  their  term  of  service.    We  find  it  im- 
possible to  obtain  from  the  records  the  names  and  the 
number  of  men  from  Norwalk  who  participated  in  the 
War  of  the  Revolution.     But  enough  is  found  to  war- 
rant us  in  saying  that  whatever   of  patriotism  we  may 
have  in  our  blood  to-day  we  came  honestly  by  it  from 
the  example  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution. 

Tn  the  War  of  1812  we  were  again  called  upon  to 
furnish  our  quota  for  this  short  war.  We  find  that  the 
militia  only  were  called  upon,  and  they  did  not  suffer 
any  loss.  "We  find  that  we  have  a  record  of  108  of  our 
citizens  who  at  that  time  were  members  of  the  militia. 
They  were  in  the  service  but  few  days,  but  were  ready 
when  called  upon  for  any  service  required  of  them. 

We  next  come  to  1845-1848,  the  Mexican  War.  11 
which  we  were  not  called  upon  to  furnish  any  men,  but 
there  were  quite  a  number  of  enlisted  men  from  Nor- 

M 


walk  in  the  regular  army,  as  this  state  had  no  organiza- 
tion in  which  they  could  enlist.  We  have  no  record  of 
any  losses  from  Norwalk  in  this  war. 

CIVIL  WAR,  1861-1865. 

Fort  Sumpter  was  fired  upon  by  the  Confederate 
forces  in  Charleston  Harbor,  and  so  had  the  blood  of  the 
nation  been  fired  by  their  so  doing.     It  was  on  Monday, 
April  15th,  1861,  that  the  President  issued  his  first  call 
for  troops.     It  was  for  75,000  men  to  serve  for  the  period 
of  ninety  days.     The  news  in  some  way  reached  here 
Sunday  night  that  the  President  had  called  for  troops 
and  early  Monday  morning  the  excitement  began.     We 
had  among  us  at  that  time,  as  now,  men  who  loved  their 
country  and  though  too  aged  or  infirm  or  through  their 
business  associations  could  not  take  their  rifle  in  hand, 
but    could    help    in    many  ways,    especially  with    their 
money.    The  first  of  our  leading  citizens  that  we  remem- 
ber that  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  day  was  Mr.  Eben 
Hill.     Upon  his  hearing  that  the  President  had  called 
for  troops,  on  Monday  morning  early,  he  had  his  horse 
hitched  to  his  carriage  and  taking  his  son,  Eben,  Jr., 
(now    the  successful  manager    of    the    Norwalk    Iron 
Works)  who  was  then  quite  a  lad,  started  down  the  street 
and  went  to  the  old  pottery,  then  situated  south  of  the 
railroad,  where  now  stands  a  portion  of  the  Norwalk 
Iron  Works,  to  see  General  Guyer  who,  at  that  time, 
was  the  Commander  of  the  Connecticut  militia,  to  see 
what  could  be  done  to  immediately  begin  the  raising  of 
a  company  of  volunteers.    The  General  was  waiting  for 
orders  from  the  Governor,  but  Mr.  Hill  wanted  to  be 
ready  as  soon  as  call  should  come.     He  found  a  drum- 
mer and  fifer  and  had  them  parade  the  streets  of  South 
Norwalk.     He  also  saw  some  of  the  clergymen  and  one 
of  them  made  the  first  war  speech  in  Norwalk.     I  think 
it  was  the  Rev.  T.  I.  Wooley,  at  that  time  pastor  of  the 
First  M.  E.  Church.     South  Norwalk  men  began  to  en- 
list at  once    and  a  full  company  was    recruited  under 
Capt.  Douglas  Fowler,  and  was  attached  to  the  Third 
Connecticut  Regiment.     Mr.  Hill  was  a  friend  of  the 
soldiers  all  through  the  war  and  did  not  forget  them 
even  when  the  war  was  over.     We  had  among  us  at  that 
time  a  number  of  our  leading  citizens  who  pledged  them- 
selves to  care  for  the  families  of  the  men  who  enlisted  in 
the  first  companies  that  went  from  Norwalk.     The  ex- 

106 


citement  was  running  very  high  while  the  quoto  to 
serve  three  months  was  being  filled  and,  in  fact,  did  not 
abate  much  during  the  four  years  of  the  war.  In  Au- 
gust, 1862,  again  men  were  needed  badly  by  the  govern- 
ment and  to  encourage  enlistments  another  of  Nor- 
walk's  citizens  came  to  the  front  and  to  fill  the  ranks  ot 
Company  F,  I7th  Conn.  Regt.,  which  was  named  after 
him,  he  offered  every  man  $25.  This  was  Legrand 
Lockwood,  another  noble  man  who  never  forgot  the 
men  who  went  at  their  country's  bidding.  Even  to  the 
time  of  his  death  he  remembered  them,  and  would  do  all 
he  could  to  help  any  worthy  soldier.  When  the  war 
broke  upon  us  we  were  not  prepared  for  it  in  many  ways. 
The  state  did  not  have  arms  to  arm  its  troops  and  did 
not  have  clothing  and  equipments  for  the  men  who  were 
flocking  to  Hartford  and  New  Haven,  and  to  procure 
these  needed  supplies  required  a  large  amount  of  money, 
which  the  treasury  of  the  state  did  not  possess  at  that 
time,  and  among  the  banks  of  the  state  which  were  first 
to  offer  a  loan  to  the  state  was  the  old  Fairfield  County 
Bank,  which  oFered  to  the  Governor  $30,000  to  arm  and 
equip  the  ist,  2nd  and  3rd  Regiments,  then  being  form- 
ed, these  being  the  Regiments  called  for  three  months' 
service  and  then  flocking  to  New  Haven  and  Hartford. 

There  were  a  great  many  people  at  that  time  who 
thought  the  war  would  not  last  over  three  months,  and 
in  fact  some  of  the  men  who  had  enlisted  and  had  not 
been  assigned  to  any  Regiment  thought  there  would  be 
no  use  for  them  and  many  went  back  to  their  homes. 
But  that  was  not  to  be.  as  was  shown  during  the  four 
awful  years  that  followed.  Space  and  time  will  not  al- 
low us  to  give  the  names  of  all  those  who  went  at  their 
country's  call  and,  Oh,  how  many  have  not  come  back 
to  those  whom  they  loved.  We  still  see  the  evidence 
of  that  awful  war  about  us.  We  have  many  of  the  wid- 
ows yet  in  their  mourning  for  the  one  who  never  re- 
turned, and  we  still  see  the  aged  men  with  an  empty 
sleeve  or  upon  crutches,  but  as  the  years  pass  by  all  of 
these  grow  less,  and  in  a  few  years  the  soldiers  of  the 
war  of  1 86 1  to  1865  will  have  passed  over  to  the  great 
armv  who  hold  the  advance,  and  are  now  at  peace. 
fore  we  begin  to  enumerate  those  who  gave  their  s 
vices  to  their  country  we  want  to  say  that  when  the  war 
was  ended  and  the  men  came  home,  those  factories 
places  of  employment  from  which  so  many  of  us  went, 
were  open  to  us,  especially  the  Norwalk  Lock  Co.,  fr 

199 


which  factory  a  large  number  enlisted,  and  as  soon  as 
the  war  was  ended  and  the  men  came  home  they  found 
places  for  all  of  their  old  help,  and  so,  in  every  place  in 
Norwalk  from  which  men  enlisted. 

Among  those  from  Norwalk  who  were  first  to  offer 
their  services  to  the  Government  were  Hon.  Orris  S. 
Ferry,  at  that  time  our  member  of  Congress  and  Hon. 
A.  H.  Byington,  (who  was  always  a  good  friend  to  the 
soldiers,  especially  the  boys  from  Norwalk.)  These 
two  of  Norwalk's  citizens  were  in  Washington,  D.  C., 
when  the  war  broke  upon  us  and  both  of  whom  enlisted 
in  the  Cassius  M.  Clay  Guard,  in  Washington,  D.  C., 
which  organization  patroled  the  streets  of  Washington 
until  relieved  by  the  troops  from  the  North. 

The  ist  Conn.  Regiment  was  the  first  to  receive  any 
men  from  Norwalk.  We  find  that  the  first  to  enlist  to 
the  credit  of  old  Norwalk  were  Theodore  Benedict, 
Thomas  D.  Brown,  Geo.  D.  Keeler,  Thomas  Hooton, 
Morris  Kransynky,  Wm.  C.  Murphy,  James  Reed  and 
Howard  Wheeler.  These  eight  men  were  Norwalk's 
representatives  in  the  ist  Conn.  Vols.  in  the  2nd  Conn. 
Inf.  There  was  but  one  man  from  our  town  that  we 
find  anv  record  of,  Samuel  C.  Barnum.  Then  comes  the 
3rd  Conn.  Inf.,  on  April  24th,  1861,  Co.  G,  of  this  Regi- 
ment was  enlisted  and  excepting  one  man,  were  all  from 
Norwalk.  The  officers  of  this  company  were  Capt. 
Douglas  Fowler,  ist  Lieut.  Gilbert  Bogart,  2nd  Lieut. 
Stephen  D.  Byxbee,  ist  Sergt.  James  L.  Russell.  In 
this  company  were  seventy-eight  enlisted  men  from  our 
town.  To  David  O'Connor  of  this  company  is  the  honor 
due  of  being  the  first  soldier  from  the  town  of  Norwalk 
who  was  confined  in  Libby  Prison,  he  being  captured  at 
the  Bottle  of  Bull  Run,  July  2ist,  1861,  being  confined  iii 
prison  ten  months. 

The  Battle  of  Bull  Run  having  been  fought  and  lost 
to  the  Federals,  the  President  on  May  3rd,  1861,  called 
for  42,000  men  to  serve  three  years,  or  during  the  war. 
Our  state  was  called  upon  to  furnish  but  one  Regiment, 
and  in  that  Regiment  were  twenty-five  men  from  our 
town.  Among  these  was  Moses  A.  Hill,  (brother  of  our 
present  Congressman)  who  afterward  was  promoted  to 
a  captaincy  and  served  with  credit  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
Burnside.  On  May  4th,  1861,  the  President  called  again 
for  75,000  men  to  serve  three  years  or  during  the  war. 
The  5th  or  Colt's  Regiment,  being  the  first  Regiment  to 
organize  under  this  call.  In  this  Regiment  were  from 

900 


Norwalk,  Col.  Orris  S.  Ferry,  Chaplain  Geo.  W.  Lash- 
er, Capt.  Alfred  A.Chinnery,  Lieut.  Chas.  A.  Reynolds, 
Lieut.  Stiles  G.  Hyatt,  now  of  New  York,  Lieut.  Geo. 
F.  Selleck,  now  of  Bethany,  Conn.     In  this  Regiment 
were  fifty-four  enlisted  men  from  Norwalk.     Nathaniel 
S.  Wheeler  of  Co.  E,  of  this  Regiment,  was  the  first 
enlisted  man  from  the  town  of  Norwalk,  who  died  in 
the  service,  he  having  died  August  28th,  1861,  at  Sandy 
Hook,  near  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.    At  Battle  of  Cedar 
Mountain.  Va.,  on  August  9th,  1862,  the  first  blood  of 
Norwalk  was  poured  out.     In  this  battle,  Color  Sergt. 
Elijah  B.  Jones,  Corp.  Oliver  S.  Brady,  Private  Owen 
Murphy,  all  of  Norwalk,  were  killed.     Sergt.  Wm.  A. 
Ambler,  wounded.     We  believe  these  to  be  the  first  of 
Norwalk's  citizens  to  fall  in  the  Civil  War.     The  Regi- 
ment to  follow  the  5th  was  the  6th  Regiment,  Infantry, 
in  which  were  fifty-two  men  credited  to  Norwalk.    Most 
of  these  joined  the  Regiment  in  1863,  as  recruits.     Then 
followed  the  7th  Regiment,  in  which  we  sent  twenty- 
four  enlisted  men  and  Lieut.  Thomas  Hooton,  who  was 
killed  on  James  Island,  June  i6th,  1862.     Among  those 
who  were  killed  or  died  of  wounds  in  this  Regiment, 
were  [ames  L.  Allen,  Oscar  Smith,  Theodore  B.  Bene- 
dict and  John  T.  Byxbee. 

In  the  fall  of  1861,  October  I7th,  the  8th  Regiment, 
Conn.  Infantry,  left  the  state  and  had  among  its  officers 
and  men,  Lieut.  Col.  P.  L.  Cunningham,  Chaplain  J.  J. 
Wooley,  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  the  First  M.  E. 
Church,  South  Norwalk',  Capt.  Douglas  Fowler,  Capt. 
James  L.  Russell,  Lieut.  M.  L.  Pelham,  Lieut.  Thos.  S. 
Weed,  Lieut.  Justus  T.  Crosby,  Lieut.  Anthony  R.  Can- 
field.  In  this  Regiment  we  had  from  Norwalk  forty- 
eight  enlisted  men. 

M.  S.  Lyon  died  March  4,  1864;  John  Cockfer  died 
August  u,  1863;  Stephen  H.  Ferris  died  February  18, 
1862;  Chas.  E. 'Merrill  died  September  13,  1863;  Peter 
Moneban  died  February  24,  1866;  Peter  Pound  died 
January  7,  1862;  Henry  C.  Taylor  died  April  29,  1862; 
Thomas  E.  Richmond  killed  June  3,  1864. 

In  the  gth  Regiment  which  followed  immediately  af- 
ter the  8th,  there  were  but  two  men  from  Norwalk.  In 
the  icth  Regiment  we  sent  fourteen  men.  In  the  nth 
Regiment  we  were  represented  by  four  of  our  citizens. 
The  1 2th  Regiment,  Company  E,  had  thirty-nine  of  its 
members  from  Norwalk.  The  officers  of  this  Company 
were  Capt.  Stephen  D.  Byxbee,  1st  Lieut.  Gilbert  Bo- 


901 


gart,  2nd  Lieut.  Joseph  P.  Grossman.  Among  those 
who  died  or  were  killed,  from  Norwalk,  were  Stanton 
Babcock,  killed  June  23,  1863 ;  Sergt.  Henry  M.  Prowitt, 
Corp.  Samuel  Clark,  Sergt.  George  Maculess,  killed 
June  10,  1863;  Wm.  B.  Kurd,  James  L.  Brundage,  Hen- 
ry Vanderbilt,  John  Youngs. 

The  1 3th  Regiment  did  not  leave  the  state  until  the 
spring  of  1862,  and  had  to  the  credit  of  Norwalk  fourteen 
of  its  members.  The  14th  Regiment  was  the  first  Regi- 
ment under  the  call  of  the  President  on  July  1st,  1862. 
In  this  Regiment  we  find  we  had  twenty-four  men,  who 
helped  to  make  a  record  second  to  none  for  the  soldiers 
of  Norwalk.  In  the  i5th  we  had  three  men;  the  i6th 
had  none  from  Norwalk.  The  I7th  Infantry  was  a  Fair- 
field  County  Regiment  and  in  it  was  two  whole  com- 
panies and  in  several  of  the  companies  were  men  who 
were  counted  upon  as  being  the  quoto  of  Norwalk.  Co. 
A  had  for  its  officers,  Capt.  Douglas  Fowler,  1st  Lieut. 
John  McQuhae,  2nd  Lieut.  John  W.  Craw,  2nd  Lieut. 
C.  Fred  Betts. 

Company  F  had  for  its  officers  Capt.  Enoch  Wood, 
Capt.  Henry  Allen,  Capt.  C  Fred  Betts,  ist  Lieut.  Wm. 
S.  Knapp.  2nd.  Lieuts.  Wm.  A.  Kellogg,  Chas.  E.  Doty, 
Geo.  W.  Shaw.  Norwalk  had  to  its  credit  in  this  Regi- 
ment 198  enlisted  men.  Among  them  who  gave  their 
lives  for  their  country  in  this  Regiment  were  Lieut.  Col. 
Douglas  Fowler,  Lieut.  Col.  Albert  H.  Wilcoxson,  Sergt. 
Edwin  R.  Smith,  Corpls.  Thomas  D.  Brown,  James 
Watervvorth,  Wm.  W.  Westlake;  Privates  Henry  H. 
Aiken,  Geo.  B.  Hendrick,  John  W.  Jackson.  Calvin 
Nobles.  Geo.  ().  Tuttle,  Henry  Burns,  Joseph  H.  Arm- 
strong, Lewis  Arnold,  Nelson  Beach,  John  W.  Metcalf 
and  William  Smedley. 

In  the  i8th  and  2Oth  Regiments  we  find  none  to  the 
ciedit  of  our  own  town.  In  the  2ist  we  were  represent- 
ed bv  Dr.  Tames  E.  Barbour.  In  the  22nd  Regiment 
Norwalk  was  not  represented.  This  was  the  last  of  the 
White  Regiments  for  three  years'  service.  November 
i7th,  1862,  the  23rd  Regiment,  the  first  of  the  six  Regi- 
ments for  nine  months'  service,  left  New  Haven  for  New 
Orleans.  Norwalk  had  but  two  men  in  this  Regiment. 
In  the  24th,  25th  and  26th  we  had  none.  In  the  27th  we 
had  fourteen  .men.  Among  their  dead  we  find  from 
Norwalk,  Wm.  L.  Bodwell,  killed  at  Gettysburgh ;  Wil- 
bur Nash,  killed  at  Fredricksburgh.  The  28th  Regiment 
was  the  last  of  the  Regiments  for  nine  months'  service. 


This  Regiment  left  New  Haven  November  igth,  1862. 
In  this  Regiment  we  were  well  represented,  Co.  G  being 
nearly  all  men  from  Norwalk.  The  officers  were  Capt. 
Theodore  L.  Beckwith,  ist  Lieut.  Wm.  Mitchell,  2nd 
Lieut.  Henry  Ayres  and  sixty-nine  enlisted  men.  Among 
those  who  gave  their  lives  were  George  Beers,  Benjamin 
F.  Hanford,  Thomas  F.  Dowd  and  John  Roach. 

The  29th  Conn,  was  the  first  Regiment  of  colored 
troops  raised  in  this  state  and  Norwalk  was  represented 
in  this  Regiment  by  twenty-seven  enlisted  men.  In  the 
3oth  Conn.,  Colored  Regiment,  which  was  the  last  Regi- 
ment sent  by  the  state,  Norwalk  had  none  to  its  credit. 
The  ist,  2nd  and  3rd  Conn.  Batteries  of  Artillery,  Nor- 
walk sent  sixteen  men.  The  2nd  Heavy  Artillery  being 
a  Litchfield  County  Regiment,  we  had  but  twenty-two 
men  to  represent  our  town. 

Norwalk  had  its  citizens  not  only  in  Regiments  from 
our  own  state  but  we  find  them  in  the  regular  army,  but 
get  the  credit  for  only  four;  also  in  the  navy,  we  had 
several  of  our  citizens,  but  can  find  the  record  of  but 
two,  Edward  G.  Bishop  and  Joseph  Skidmore. 

Among  the  officers  appointed  by  the  President  we 
find  the  name  of  Major  Genl.  Wm.  T.  Clarke,  who  was 
a  citizen  of  Norwalk  and  served  with  distinction  on  the 
staff  of  Major  Gen.  McPherson,  who  was  killed  in  front 
of  Atlanta,  July  22nd,  1864. 

While  we  are  trying  to  give  a  record  of  the  number 
of  men  furnished  by  the  town  of  Norwalk,  we  find  it  im- 
possible to  get  a  complete  record  of  those  who  enlisted 
in  other  states,  who  were  citizens  of  Norwalk.     Those 
whom  we  find  accredited  to  our  town  are: 
Geo.  H.  Waterbury,  2nd  N.  Y.  Cav. 
Wm.  H.  Bates,  5th  N.  Y.  Inf. 
Geo.  I.  Buxton.  Qth  N.  Y.  Inf. 
Wm.  Cockefer,  9th  N.  Y.  Inf. 
Justice  Disbrow,  41  st  Ohio. 
Lewis  W.  Doty,  8th  N.  Y. 
Edward  H.  Fitch,  5th  N.  Y.  Cav. 
Edward  Holley,  loth  N.  J. 
James  B.  Hoyt,  Capt.  9th  N.  Y. 
Chas.  G.  Hyatt,  48th  N.  Y. 
Gould  J.  Jennings,  Capt.  59th  N.  Y. 
Philo  Johnson,  ~i7th  N.  Y. 
John  F.  Lovejoy,  8ist  N.  Y. 
John  M.  McLean,  3/th  N.  Y. 
Wm.  E.  Montgomery,  nth  N.  Y.  Cav. 


203 


Samuel  B.  Sherwood,  i6th  N.  Y.  Arty. 

Frank  B.  Smith,  2nd  111.  Arty. 

Wm.  R.  Green,  35th  N.  J. 

John  O'Conner,  35th  N.  J. 

Stephen  Maning,  I7th  N.  Y. 

We  find  by  the  records  that  the  town  of  Norwalk 
furnished  nearly  Soo  men  during  the  war,  and  if  we  could 
but  get  at  the  records  of  other  states  there  is  no  doubt 
of  our  finding  that  fully  1,000  men  of  our  town  were 
furnished  to  put  down  the  most  wicked  of  rebellions,  and 
how  many  of  our  Norwalk  boys  gave  their  lives  to  down 
that  rebellion  we  can  never  tell. 

We  find  that  the  losses  for  the  State  of  Connecticut 
were: 

Killed  in  battle,       .... 
Missing,  probably  killed, 
Died  from  accidents, 
Fatally  wounded,   .... 
Died  in  prison,       .... 
Died  of  disease,     .... 
Wounded,      ..... 
Accidentally  wounded,    . 
Captured,       ..... 
Discharged  for  disability, 
Unaccounted  for  at  muster  out 

Total  loss  of  Connecticut,          .         20,164 

In  trying  to  get  together  the  facts  concerning  Nor- 
walk, in  the  wars  of  the  past  we  are  sorry  that  there  is 
not  a  more  complete  record  of  the  men  who  stood  in  the 
breach  and  gave  their  lives  to  their  country,  as  in  the 
Revolution,  we  only  wish  we  could  have  been  able  to  as- 
certain just  who  these  patriots  were,  but  we  should  be 
pleased  to  know  that  nearly  all  of  whom  we  have  no 
record  as  being  from  our  town,  are  duly  credited  to  the 
little  State  of  Connecticut,  of  which  we  are  all  proud. 

With  the  end  of  the  Civil  War  in  the  summer  of 
1865,  most  of  the  boys  of  1861,  who  were  alive,  came 
home,  putting  aside  the  implements  of  war  and  taking 
up  the  pursuits  of  peace.  And  we  want  to  say  in  closing 
that  as  a  rule  the  country  has  kept  its  pledges  to  its  sol- 
diers, especially  the  aged,  infirm  and  crippled. 

At  the  grand  review  of  the  Army  of  Sherman  and 
Grant,  which  was  held  at  Washington,  in  May,  1865 

m 


there  was  suspended  across  Pennsylvania  avenue,  a  very 
large  banner  upon  which  were  these  words:  The  only 
debt  this  country  can  never  pay  is  the  debt  of  gratitude 
it  owes  its  Soldiers  and  Sailors,  and  this  debt  the  coun- 
try has  been  paying  in  many  ways  during  the  past  thirty- 
six  years.  We  recall  the  fact  that  among  the  soldiers  of 
the  Civil  War  who  reached  the  highest  round  of  the  lad- 
der of  fame  were  Gen.  Grant,  Gen.  Garfield,  Gen.  Hayes 
and  the  late  honored  president,  Wm.  McKinley  who, 
when  he  enlisted,  was  a  young  man  of  about  eighteen 
and  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Regiment  of  which  President 
Hayes  was  the  colonel.  So  we  might  go  on  and  fill  a 
book  with  the  names  of  soldiers  whom  the  country  has 
honored,  and  prove  that  as  a  rule  this  Republic  has  been 
grateful  to  its  defenders.  Individuals  sometimes  forget 
the  men  who  left  all  and  went  to  fight  the  battles  of  the 
nation,  but  the  nation  does  not  forget  them,  even  in  their 
old  age. 

In  closing  this  article  on  Norwalk  after  250  years, 
we  earnestly  hope  that  the  one  who  writes  250  years 
hence  will  not  have  to  record  the  facts  as  we  have  tried  to 
do,  but  we  hope  that  there  will  be  a  better  way  of  set- 
tling all  our  differences  than  with  powder  and  ball. 

C.  F.  HALLOCK. 


306 


SOUTH     NORWALK    LADIES' 
PATRIOTIC    SOCIETY,   1861-1865 


By  Harriet  Aymar. 

N  July  following  the  fall  of  Fort  Suni- 
ter,  when  war  had  actually  begun  be- 
tween the  North  and  South,  and 
troops  were  mustering  in  cities  and 
villages  throughout  our  northern  land, 
a  few  ladies  met  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Burr  Knapp  on  Washington  Street, 
South  Norwalk,  and  resolved  them- 
selves into  an  association  called  the  "South  Norwalk 
Ladies'  Patriotic  Society,'  whose  object  was  to  aid  and 
comfort  our  soldiers  in  camp  and  hospital,  or  if  found 
wounded  on  the  battlefield.  Mrs.  David  R.  Austin, 
wife  of  the  Congregational  pastor,  drafted  the  constitu- 
tion and  was  chosen  the  first  president  of  the  society. 
The  other  officers,  representing  the  various  churches  in 
South  Norwalk  were:  1st  Vice  President,  Mrs.  John 
Scott ;  2nd  Vice  President,  Mrs.  Halsey ;  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Burr  Knapp:  Assistant  Secretary,  Miss  E.  G.  Platt; 
Treasurer,  Miss  Mary  Hill,  and  a  board  of  twelve  man- 
agers In  the  following  year  Miss  Harriet  Aymar  suc- 
ceeded Mrs.  Austin  as  President,  owing  to  the  latter's 
ill  health.  Mrs.  Dennis  Platt  was  Vice  President;  Miss 
Hill,  Treasurer  and  Miss  Platt  Secretary.  During  the 
last  two  years  of  the  war  Miss  Aymar  as  President  and 
Miss  Platt  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer  conducted  the  so- 
ciety's affairs. 

The  membership  fee  was  twenty-five  cents  and  the 
society  soon  became  a  numerous  band.  Contributions 
were  received  from  others  outside  the  society,  not  only 
of  cash,  but  of  fruits  and  jellies,  wine,  books,  linen  and 
other  supplies.  With  the  funds  raised  material  was  pur- 
chased for  garments,  patterns  of  which  were  furnished 
by  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and  also  hospital  comforts 
needed  for  the  soldiers. 

The  early  meetings  of  the  Patriotic  Society  were 
held  in  private  houses,  but,  after  a  time  Ely's  Hall  on 
North  Main  Street,  became  the  headquarters  of  the  So- 
ciety, it  being  a  central  point  and  affording  betteraccom- 
modations  for  the  increased  number  of  workers.  Ely's 

206 


block  was  new  then  and  Mr.  Nathan  Ely,  not  only  gave 
the  use  of  the  hall  for  meetings  of  the  Society,  but  also 
foi  its  entertainments  to  raise  money.  Soon  after  or- 
ganization the  question  of  raising  funds  became  a  serious 
one  and  it  was  decided  to  give  a  concert,  and  it  is  amus- 
ing to  recall  the  discussion  which  arose  over  the  charge 
for  tickets.  The  president  thought  twenty-five  cents  a 
fair  price,  but  was  opposed  by  nearly  all  the  members, 
who  said  that  to  charge  more  than  fifteen  cents  would 
mean  failure.  Finally  the  president  asked  to  be  given 
the  decision  in  the  matter,  promising  if  the  concert  failed 
to  yield  to  the  fifteen  cent  rate  for  ever  after.  The  con- 
cert was  a  great  success.  It  was  given  before  a  crowded 
house,  and  went  off  beautifully,  while  the  profits  amount- 
ed to  $90.  Professor  Merriam,  who  led  the  singing,  had 
been  promised  one-fourth  of  the  receipts,  and  when  he 
received  the  money  he  remarked,  "Why,  Miss  Aymar, 
I  never  had  so  much  pay  in  my  life."  "Oh!"  was  the 
reply,  "Your  forte  is  music,  not  finance !" 

The  concert  was  given  on  August  8,  1862,  by  the 
united  chorus  of  the  South  Norwalk  churches,  assisted 
by  other  amateur  singers,  who  gave  their  services.  The 
programme  was  as  follows: 

PART  I. 

1.  Overture  to  Martha.    Slotare.    Piano  duet. 

Miss  White  and  Slocum. 

2.  Let  Kvery  Heart  Rejoice  and  Sing. 

Choir.    Accomp't,  Mr.  Disbrow. 

3.  La  Manola.     Huison. 

Miss  Sears,  Accomp't,  Miss  Seymour. 

4.  On  to  the  Field  of  Glory.     Duet. 

Messrs.  Merriam  and  Fowler. 

5.  The  Lazy  Man.     Song.  Mr.  Nichols. 

6    I've  a  Home  in  the  Woods. 

Messrs.  Merriam,  Fowler,  Selleck  and  Craw. 

7.  Eckert's  Swiss  Song. 

Miss  Sears.    Accomp't,  Miss  Seymour. 

8.  Come,  Let  Us  Sing  a  Merry  Round.  Choir. 

9.  Marseilles  Hymn.    Solo. 

Mr.  Merriam  and  Choir.  Accomp't,  Mr.  Disbrow. 

807 


PART  II. 

1.  Lucia  di  Lammermoor,  Orsler.     Piano  Duet. 

Misses  Slocum  and  White. 

2.  Hark!     Apollo  Strike  the  Lyre.  Choir. 

3.  Consider  the  Lilies. 

Miss  Sears.     Accomp't,  Miss  Hill. 

4.  Rolling  Home.     Quartette. 

Messrs.  Merriam,  Fowler,  Selleck  and  Craw. 

5.  Vive  1'America. 

Mr.  F.  Lockwood.    Accomp't,  Miss  Slocum. 

6.  Robert  toi  qui  j'aime.     Meyerbeer. 

Miss  Sears.    Accomp't,  Miss  Hill. 

7.  The  American  Flag.     Solo. 

Mr.  Merriam.  Choir.  Accomp't,  Mr.  Disbrow. 

8.  A  Man's  a  Man  for  All  That.  Song.      Mr.  Nichols. 

9.  The  Union  Forever.  Mr.  Merriam. 
10.     Grand  Finale.    The  Star  Spangled  Banner. 

Choir  and  Audience.    Accomp't,  Mr.  Disbrow. 

What  a  contrast  with  similar  benefit  entertainments 
to-day,  in  the  theatres,  halls  and  club  rooms,  were  the 
simple  entertainments  of  charades,  tableaux,  suppers  and 
concerts  in  that  primitive  place,  which  were  the  germs 
of  the  artistic  and  elegant  entertainments  of  to-day. 

For  a  time  the  local  Patriotic  Society  acted  inde- 
pendently, sending  supplies  direct  to  special  regiments. 
We  copy  from  a  report  of  the  Secretary,  January,  1864: 
"We  have  sent  under  the  auspices  of  trie  Sanitary  Com- 
mission, supplies  to  the  nine  Connecticut  Regiments  on 
the  coast  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  also  to  the 
I7th  Conn."  Ultimately  the  society  joined  the  "Wo- 
man's Central  Association  of  Relief"  and  became  allied 
with  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission.  A  diplo- 
ma was  awarded  to  our  Patriotic  Society  at  the  close  of 
the  war  from  the  "Woman's  Central  Relief  Association," 
signed  by  the  officers  of  that  influential  organization,  ad- 
dressed to  Miss  Harriet  Aymar,  president.  This  diplo- 
ma is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Norwalk  Historical 
and  Memorial  Library  Association,  together  with  other 
relics  of  the  Patriotic  Society. 

In  closing  this  brief  sketch  of  the  Ladies'  Patriotic 

aoe 


Society  we  add  a  short  extract  from  the  last  report  of  the 
faithful  and  able  secretary,  Miss  Platt,  for  the  year  1864: 
"The  society  has  never  been  more  prosperous  than 
during  the  past  year;  and  we  trust  a  spirit  of  patriotism 
is  now  aroused  which  will  lead  to  renewed  energy  and 
effort  in  the  'great  good  work/  until  the  peace  so  long 
desired  shall  bless  our  land,  and  our  efforts  in  behalf  of 
the  soldiers  shall  no  longer  be  needed." 

Accompanying  the  report  is  the  following  account 
from  January  29,  1864,  to  January  25,  1865: 
Cash   receipts  from  donations,  weekly  collec- 
tions and  entertainments,           .          .         .  $675.90 

EXPENDITURES. 

Donations  to  the  Christian  Commission,  .  $275.36 

Paid  to  Sanitary  Commission  for  flannel,  .          .     215.53 
Current  expenses  of  the  society,  which  include 

donations  to  various  special  objects,  .          .     160.41 
Cash  on  hand,       ...         .         .         .       42.60 


Total,     .         .         ...         .         .  $693.90 

Add  to  this  the  sum  of  .         .         i         .         .     215.53 

Which  sum  was  allowed  on  the  goods  purchas- 
ed of  the  Sanitary  Commission  and  the 
total  amount  is  .....  $909.43 

The  number  of  articles  made  from  1861  to  January, 
1865,  was  1,732.  Boxes  of  supplies  sent  to  the  soldiers 
were  valued  at  $341,  and  money  was  collected  amounting 
to  $1,350.37. 

The  children  of  South  Norwalk  are  credited  with 
contributing-  $20  in  money  to  the  Patriotic  Society  and 
piecing  two  quilts  for  hospital  use. 

The  children  were  also  very  useful  in  preparing  for 
entertainments.  George  Beard,  aged  twelve,  was  al- 
ways ready  to  assist  in  putting  the  hall  in  order,  giving 
his  services,  as  he  said,  ''For  good  company."  The  Pa- 
triotic Society  had  assistance  from  many  sources,  the 
cause  being  for  the  country  in  its  struggle  for  entire  free- 
dom. No  denominational'  lines  were  recognized  but  all 
did  their  part  with  "Liberty"  as  the  watchword.  So  we 
did  our  mite  in  the  holy  war. 

To-day  we  are  a  united  and  prosperous  nation  and 
so  we  may  remain  if  not  overwhelmed  by  too  much 

209 


wealth  and  too  much  pride  of  success  and  luxury  of  liv- 
ing. The  rise  and  fall  of  other  nations  should  be  to  us 
an  example  and  warning.  It  may  add  to  the  interest  of 
this  sketch  to  mention  the  names  of  some  of  the  active 
members  of  the  South  Norwalk  Ladies'  Patriotic  So- 
ciety: 

Mrs.  D.  R.  Austin,  Mrs.  Scott,  Mrs.  Halsey,  Mrs. 
B.  Knapp,  Miss  Mary  Hill,  Miss  Platt,  Mrs  Beers,  Mrs. 
A.  Lyon,  Miss  C.  Hill,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Crofut,  Mrs.  H.  L. 
Norton,  Miss  K  Beers,  Mrs.  Jas.  Mallory,  Mrs.  W.  S. 
Hanford,  Mrs.  Edwin  Hoyt,  Mrs.  Wood,  Miss  Isabella 
Beard,  Mrs.  Scoville,  Miss  Aymar,  Mrs.  Dennis  Platt, 
Mrs.  I.  Beers,  Mrs.  Nash,  Miss  E.  Cape,  Mrs.  Baxter, 
Mrs.  Alexander,  Mrs.  Elisha  Comstock,  Mrs.  Dicker- 
man,  Mrs.  Nathan  Ely,  Miss  Louisa  Prouty,  Mrs.  John 
Bouton,  Mrs.  C.  M.  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Sarah  Palmer,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Scoville,  Miss  Mary  Hutchins,  Mrs.  New- 
combe,  Miss  A.  Delia  Dibble,  Mrs.  Wm.  Beard,  Mrs. 
Wm.  Cape,  the  Misses  Quintard,  Mrs.  Davis  Hatch, 
Mrs.  Southmayd,  Miss  Annie  Seymour,  Mrs.  Burchard, 
Airs.  E.  L.  Bailey,  Mrs.  John  H.  Keyser,  Mrs.  James  H. 
Knapp,  Mrs.  A.  Thompson,  Mrs.  Minerva  E.  Raymond, 
Mrs.  S.  H.  Orton,  Miss  Georgiana  Bodwell,  Mrs.  Eben 
Hill,  Miss  Cornelia  Benedict,  Miss  Gertrude  Benedict, 
Miss  Malvina  Swords,  Miss  Mary  E.  Byxbee,  Miss  Mary 
A.  Ferris,  Mrs.  Mary  Palmer",  Mrs.  Burr  Nash  and 
others. 


NORWALK    CHAPTER,    DAUGHTERS 
OF    THE    AMERICAN     REVOLUTION 

HIS  organization  was  formed  at  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  E.  J.  Hill,  Decem- 
ber 1 6,  1896,  in  pursuance  of  a  com- 
mission from  the  National  Society  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution. Mrs.  Hill  was  elected  Regent, 
and  during  her  term  of  office  an  in- 
teresting and  extensive  celebration  of 
the  244th  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  Nonvalk  was 
held  under  the  joint  auspices  of  the  Norwalk  Chapter 
and  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  The  pro- 
gramme included  a  two  days'  festival  at  the  Armory,  a 
gathering  of  4,000  school  children,  a  loan  exhibition  of 
Colonial  and  Revolutionary  relics  and  a  Colonial  ball. 
The  exhibition  resulted  in  a  fund  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  which  was  voted  by  the  General  Committee 
to  the  Norwalk  Chapter  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  histori- 
cal memorials.  Three  rich  memorials  were  placed  in 
position  by  the  Chapter  in  1895,  viz.: 

1.  The  Founders'  Stone,  on  East  avenue. 

2.  The  France  street  tablet. 

3.  The  Flax  Hill  memorial  with  the  old  British 
cannon  ball  imbedded  in  its  surface. 

In  November,  1895,  Mrs.  Hill  was  succeeded  as 
Regent  by  Mrs.  Thomas  K.  Noble,  who  held  the  dffice 
until  November,  1897.  During  her  term  it  was  ordered 
by  the  Chapter  that  an  annual  prize  of  five  dollars  in 
gold  be  offered  for  the  best  essay  upon  a  selected  topic 
connected  with  the  history  of  the  American  Revolution, 
written  by  a  pupil  of  the  Norwalk  public  schools.  Early 
in  1896  a  complimentary  address  was  given  to  the  local 
branch  of  the  S.  A.  R.,  and  Major  General  Darius  N. 
Couch  was  the  guest  of  honor.  The  work  of  identifying 
rhe  graves  of  Revolutionary  soldiers  in  the  vicinity  of 
Norwalk  was  begun  and  these  graves  have  been  visited 
regularly  since  1896  and  appropriately  decorated  upon 
Memorial  Day.  The  membership  of  the  Chapter  in- 
creased during  Mrs.  Noble's  term  from  forty-seven  to 
one  hundred  and  fifteen. 

The  third  Regent  was  Mrs.  Samuel  Richards  Weed, 
who  was  electd  in  November,  1897. 


The  record  of  the  patriotic  work  of  the  Chapter  dur- 
ing the  regency  of  Mrs.  Weed  is  that  of  great  activity 
and  success.  It  comprises  many  addresses  by  distin- 
guished guests  at  Chapter  meetings,  drives  to  historical 
localities  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck,  Nor- 
walk's  historian,  receptions  at  the  Regent's  summer 
home  at  "Midbrook,"'  the  completion  of  the  list  of  iden- 
tified graves  of  Revolutionary  Soldiers  (begun  in  1896), 
and  the  official  marking  of  these  graves  with  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Connecticut  S.  A.  R. 

The  Norwaik  Chapter  responded  to  the  call  of  the 
National  Society  of  D.  A.  R.  in  the  Spanish- American 
war,  and  nobly  did  their  share  in  the  work  which  the 
Connecticut  D.  A.  R.  accomplished.  One  hundred  and 
twenty-six  dollars  were  raised  and  seventy  boxes  of  re- 
lief supplies  and  reading  matter  were  sent  to  the  soldiers 
at  the  front. 

In  1899  another  wayside  memorial  was  placed  on 
Fitch's  Point,  the  landing  place  of  the  British  invaders 
in  1779. 

In  September,  1899,  the  season  was  inaugurated 
with  a  "Nathan  Hale"  programme,  at  which  time  Mrs. 
Weed  proposed  the  erection  of  a  memorial  to  that  hero 
in  Norwaik,  from  whence  he  left  the  Connecticut  shore 
for  Long  Island  on  his  fatal  errand.  A  design  for  a 
drinking  fountain,  to  cost  nine  hundred  dollars,  was 
donated  by  McKim,  Mead  &  White,  of  New  York,  and 
the  Regent  soon  secured  the  necessary  subscriptions  for 
its  completion,  amounting  in  all  to  $1,106.09.  The  let- 
tering of  one  of  the  two  inscriptions  on  the  memorial 
was  contributed  by  the  children  in  the  schools  of  Nor- 
waik. The  fountain  was  dedicated  on  April  19,  1901, 
at  the  close  of  the  State  Conference  of  the  D.  A.  R., 
which  was  held  in  NorwalR  on  that  date.  The  speakers 
on  the  occasion  were  Rev.  Edward  Everett  Hale,  D.  D., 
of  Boston;  Rev.  S.  Parkes  Codman,  D.  D.,  of  Brooklyn, 
and  the  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck. 

A  series  of  historical  papers  on  the  old  homes  of 
Wilton,  Westport,  Darien  and  Norwaik  were  prepared 
at  Mrs.  Weed's  request,  illustrated  with  a  collection  of 
photographs,  and  published  in  a  pamphlet  to  celebrate 
the  250th  anniversary  of  Norwaik. 

Mrs.  Weed's  term  of  office  expired  in  May,  1901,  at 
which  time  the  membership  of  the  Chapter  had  increased 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine.  After  an  ineffectual  bal- 
lot in  May,  the  Chapter  adjourned  without  an  election. 

Zl* 


In  June,  1901,  Mrs.  Weed  was  re-elected  Regent  against 
her  own  wishes. 

Although  no  Chapter  meetings  were  held  during  the 
summer,  the  Regent  was  busy  with  plans  for  assisting  in 
the  celebration  of  Norwalk's  25oth  anniversary  in  Sep- 
tember. A  plate,  designed  by  Mrs.  Weed,  with  appro- 
priate Norwalk  pictures,  executed  in  blue  and  white  por- 
celain, was  produced  at  her  own  expense,  as  a  souvenir 
of  the  anniversary.  These  plates  were  placed  on  sale, 
and  it  was  announced  that  the  final  profits  would  be  used 
for  future  memorial  work.  The  committee  in  charge  of 
the  Norwalk  celebration  requested  the  Norwalk  Chap- 
ter to  conduct  the  guests  of  the  town  to  places  of  historic 
interest  on  the  morning  of  September  nth,  1901.  The 
Regent  proposed  a  trolley  ride  for  the  purpose,  which 
was  successfully  carried  out.  Four  cars,  decorated  with 
the  national  colors,  took  a  large  party  of  invited  guests 
to  places  indicated  on  the  proposed  programme.  Rev. 
C.  M.  Selleck  accompanied  the  party  and  acted  as  guide, 
relating  interesting  facts  concerning  the  points  visited. 
At  the  suggestion  of  the  Regent,  the  Norwalk  Chapter 
joined  with  the  other  women's  clubs  to  open  the  Central 
Club  house  during  the  anniversary  days,  as  a  "House  of 
Rest"  and  refreshment  for  out-of-town  visitors. 

The  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  is 
thoroughly  democratic  in  its  membership,  since  any 
woman  is  eligible  who  is  descended  from  a  recognized 
patriot,  a  soldier,  sailor,  or  a  civil  officer  in  the  United 
Colonies  or  States,  who  assisted  in  establishing  the 
cause  of  Independence  during  the  War  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

The  real  object  of  the  society  is  to  foster  patriotism 
by  encouraging  the  study  of  United  States  history  and 
the  Constitution  and  to  preserve  memorials  of  local 
history  and  historical  relics  of  every  town  in  the  land, 
thereby  stimulating  public  pride  and  leading  to  public 
improvement  in  every  community. 


318 


AN  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 
EDUCATION  IN  NORWALK  DURING 
THE  NINETEENTH  CENTURY 


(By  A.  Blanchard.) 

OR  WALK  has  a  New  England  inheri- 
tance in  matters  of  education.  The 
vote  at  the  town  meeting,  held  May 
29,  1678,  to  hire  a  school  master  on 
"as  reasonable  terms  as  possible  to 
teach  all  the  childring  in  the  towne  to 
lerne  to  rede  and  write"  was  but  fol- 
lowing the  precedent  of  other  Con- 
necticut towns,  for  this  general  instruction  was  in  strict 
conformity  to  the  laws  of  the  colony.  In  1686  the  town 
voted  to  hire  a  school  master  for  a  quarter  of  a  year  at  the 
rate  of  thirty  pounds  a  year  to  be  paid  by  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  according  to  their  lists  of  estate.  The  select- 
men had  the  hiring  of  the  teacher,  and  were  also 
instructed  to  "hire  a  house  for  that  use  and  fit  it  with 
conveniences  for  schooling."  In  1699  we  come  to  some 
primitive  ideas  in  school  architecture,  when  the  town 
votes  to  build  a  schoolhouse.  The  requirements  are 
that  the  edifice  shall  be  "in  length  twenty  foot;  the 
breadth  then  of  eighteen  foot  and  at  least  six  foot  be- 
tween joynts."  In  the  following  year,  January,  1700, 
there  is  a  record  that  deserves  to  be  transcribed  in  full: 
"The  town  by  a  major  vote  determines  to  have  two 
schools  attended  and  kept  for  the  year  ensuing,  one  at  ye 
south  end  of  ye  town  and  ye  other  at  ye  north  end ;  and 
ye  two  respective  school  houses  now  in  being,  in  ye 
winter  time.  And  ye  summer  school  at  ye  south  end 
and  at  ye  school  house  on  west  side  of  the  river.  And 
ye  county  money  shall  be  divided  according  to  lyst  of 
ye  military  lyne."  In  1719  it  was  voted  that  the  winter 
school  should  be  kept  half  of  the  time  at  the  old  school- 
house  and  the  other  half  at  the  new  schoolhouse  at  the 
north  end  of  the  town. 

Such  are  the  meager  references  to  the  public  schools 
as  gleaned  from  Hall's  Ancient  Historical  Records  of 
Norwalk.  They  form  a  fitting  introduction  to  the  sub- 
ject of  this  paper.  The  detailed  history  of  the  different 

214 


schools  will  naturally  find  a  place  in  the  papers  devoted 
to  the  several  districts  and  need  not  be  repeated  here  ex- 
cept where  necessary  to  a  clear  understanding  of  the  his- 
tory of   the  town  as  a  whole.     The    beginning   of   the 
century  finds  the  public  schools  of  Connecticut  under 
the  management  of  school  societies.     In  1795,  1798  and 
1799  laws  were  passed  by  which  parishes  and  societies 
under  this  new  name  were  invested  with  the  entire  con- 
trol of  the  schools  to  the  exclusion  of  the  towns  which, 
as  such,  had  nothing  to  do    with  school    affairs.     Our 
concern,  then,  is  not  with  the  town,  but  with  the  First 
School  Society  of  Norwalk.     A  brief    and    incomplete 
record  of  this  society  is  contained  in  the  School  Society's 
Committee's  Book,  which  is  preserved  in  the  office  of  the 
town  clerk.     The  record  begins  Jan.  I,   1799,  and  the 
first  financial  entry  in  the  book  is  a  charge  of  $1.25  for 
the  book  itself      Entries  are  made  in  this  book  down  to 
1847,  covering  a  period  of  forty-eight  years,  and  these 
records  are  authority  for  some  of  the  statements  in  the 
present  paper.     Stephen   Lockwood,    Taylor    Sherman 
and  Ebenezer  Phillips  were  the  first  committee  of  the 
new   society.     Within  its  jurisdiction  were  the  Poplar 
Plains,  Saugatuck  and  Down  Town  school  districts.     In 
1810  the  number  had  increased  to  five  by  the  addition 
of  the  North  East  and  Old  Well  districts  to  those  already 
named.     During  the  next  thirty  years,  there  was  great 
deterioration  in  the  public  schools  of  Connecticut.     In 
the  last  decade  of  this  period  their  condition  had  become 
deplorable.     A  report  on  the  Norwalk  schools,  published 
in  the  Connecticut  Common  School  Journal  for  January 
and  February,  1839,  presents  anything  but  a  flattering 
picture  of  the  educational    advantages    offered    to    the 
children  of  the  town  by  the  public  schools  sixty  years 
ago.     The  schools  figuring  in  this  report  were  those  in 
the  Old  Well,  Flax  Hill,  South  Center,  North  Center, 
Down  Town,  Pudding  Lane,  North  West,  Over  River 
and  North  F.ast  districts.     The  best  that    can    be   said 
about  this  exposure  is  that   the   conditions   here    were 
similar  to  those  which  obtained  in  the  state  at  large  and 
that  other  towns  were  as  remiss  as  Norwalk.     The  re- 
port takes  up  the  districts  one  by  one  and  goes  into  the 
details  of  enumeration,  school  attendance,  location  and 
condition  of  school  buildings,  school  grounds,  studies 
pursued  and  the  text  books  in  use.     Schoolhouses  were 
usually  built  close  upon  the    public  highways  in    uni- 
formly unattractive  places.    A  plot  of  ground  unfit  for 

215 


anything  else  was  good  enough  for  a  school.     Of  the 
people  of  one  district  the  report  says:  "Those  who  pos- 
sess or  control  suitable  lands  for  locating  a  schoolhouse 
will  neither  sell  them  nor  suffer  a  building  to  stand  on 
the  highway  opposite."    The    schoolhouses,  with    few 
exceptions,  were  poor  specimens    of    architecture    and 
construction.     Referring    to    one    building    with    two 
rooms,  the  language  of  the  report  is:  "A  school  is  kept 
overhead,  and  the    low  ness    and    indistinctness    of    the 
voices  which  was  witnessed,  is  believed  to  be  owing  in 
part  certainly,  to  the  usage  of  keeping  the  voices  of  the 
pupils  suppressed  in  order  that  the  schools  may  not  hin- 
der each  other.'"     School  rooms  were  poorly  furnished. 
There  was  multiplicity    instead    of    uniformity    in    text 
books.     Twenty-one  different  reading  books  were  in  use 
in  the  schools  of  the  town.     An  equal  diversity  of  books 
was  found  in  other  branches    of    study.     A    point    not 
noticed  by  the  report,  but  a  very  noticeable  one,  is  the 
entire  neglect  of  the  higher  studies.     In  the  gloom  and 
discouragement  of  this  picture  of  the  public  schools  two 
generations  ago  appears  one  ray  of  light.     The  writer 
takes  occasion  to  say  a  good  word  for  the  teachers,  pro- 
nouncing them  "unusually  well  qualified,  but  hindered 
in  their  work  through  the  carelessness,  or  wilfulness  of 
parents  and  masters."     It  is  not  surprising  that  the  pub- 
lic schools  were  in  ill  repute  and  poorly  attended.     In 
1838,  out  of  9/1 1  children  of  school  age,  only  319  were 
in  common  schools,  "leaving,"  as  the  report  says,  "622 
or  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  whole,  without  benefit  from 
the  public  money."     The  total  expenses  of  the  schools 
amounted  to  about  $3,500,  or  eleven  dollars  for  each 
registered  pupil.     Considering  the   value  of  money  in 
those  days,  the  poor  schools  cost  enough  to  have  been 
much  better  than  they  were.     The  taxpayer  of  that  time 
was  not  especially  interested,  for  little  of  his  money  went 
to  p?.v  the  expenses  of  the  public  schools. 

The  period  we  have  been  considering  was  low  water 
mark  for  the  public  schools  of  Connecticut.  This  con- 
dition was  no  sudden  lapse,  but  in  its  origin  dates  back 
to  the  beginning  of  the  century,  and  even  earlier.  The 
legislation,  already  referred  to,  which  transferred  the 
control  of  the  schools  from  the  town  to  school  societies, 
proved  injurious  rather  than  helpful  to  the  cause  of  popu- 
lar education.  There  was  a  decline  of  interest  in  the 
public  schools,  for  which  the  large  school  fund  of  the 
state  was  doubtless  in  great  measure  responsible.  The 

216 


tendency  was  to  lessen  school  expenses  and  bring  them 
within  the  public  funds  and,  as  far  as  possible,  escape 
taxation.     "With  only  319  children  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  941  enumerated  in    Norwalk,  what    educational 
advantages  were  offered  to  the  622  who  were  "without 
benefit  from  the  public  money"?  In  the  absence  of  strin- 
gent truant  laws,  many  children  must  have  grown  up 
with  very  meager  schooling.     Parents  who  were  anxious 
that  their  children  should  have  an  education  and  who 
realized  the  serious  deficiencies  of  the  common  schools, 
had  a  resource,  if  their  means  permitted,  in  patronizing 
private  schools.     These  institutions  now  sprang  up  and 
flourished,  as  never  before  or  since.     The  records  of  such 
schools,  from  the  nature  of  things,  are  rarely  preserved, 
so  that  data  concerning  them  are  very  difficult  to  obtain. 
Elementary  schools  were    established,    flourished    and 
passed  away,  leaving  no  visible  traces  that  they  had  ever 
existed.     The  records  of    schools    for    more    advanced 
scholars  are  also  lacking,  but  we  find  occasional  allusions 
to  them  in  books  and  the  public  prints,  increasing  in 
frequency  as  we  come  down  towards  the  middle  of  the 
century,  when  these  slight  sources  of  information  are 
supplemented  by  the  recollection  of  persons  still  living. 
Timothy  D wight,  then    ex-President  of    Yale,    in    his 
travels  in  New  England  and  New  York,  published  in 
1822,  referring  to  Norwalk,  says  that  an  academy  was 
established  there  some  years  ago,  but  was  afterwards 
given  up.     An  academy,  which  stood  on  "The  Green" 
m  Norwalk,  and  belonged  to  the  First  Congregational 
church,  flourished  for  a  time,  having  for  its  principal 
Prof.   Hav/ley  Olmslead  and  Edwin    Hall,    afterwards 
pastor  of  the  church.     An  Episcopal  academy  was  con- 
ducted after  the  date  of  Dr.  D  wight's  book  and  was  dis- 
continued about  1829.     Such  are  the  meager  details  of 
these  earlier  schools,  as  the  writer  has  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  gather  them. 

A  school  about  which  more  data  are  obtainable  is 
the  South  Norwalk  Academy,  later  known  as  the  Nor- 
walk  Academy,  the  change  in  name  showing  an  evident 
desire  to  have  it  recognized  as  a  town  institution.  An 
advertisement  dated  Nov.  5,  1844,  states  that  arrange- 
ments had  been  made  '.'to  convey  students  in  a  covered 
carriage  from  Norwalk  borough  to  the  academy  for  two 
cents  63 ch  time,  amounting  to  one  shilling  a  week.  This 
academy  was  a  private  enterprise  undertaken  by  citizens 
of  the  town,  who  elected  trustees  from  among  their  own 

m 


number.  In  a  newspaper  announcement  in  February, 
1844,  appear  the  names  of  Algernon  E.  Beard,  Charles 
Mallory  and  Thomas  C.  Hanford  as  the  governing  board 
at  that  time.  The  building  erected  was  a  one-story 
structure  with  a  cupola,  after  the  common  academy 
architecture  of  the  period,  and  stood  on  West  avenue, 
nearly  opposite  the  site  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  in  South  Nor  walk.  At  first  designed  for  boys, 
girls  were  afterwards  admitted  to  the  school.  One  of 
the  earlier  principals  was  Mr.  Storrs  Hall,  brother  of 
Dr.  Edward  Hall,  who  made  a  compilation  of  the  early 
records  of  Nonvalk.  In  1844  James  H.  Coffin  came 
from  a  tutorship  in  Williams  College  to  become  the  head 
of  the  new  academy.  Under  his  management  and  that 
of  his  brother  and  successor,  Robert  Coffin,  the  academy 
gained  great  repute  and  drew  students  from  the  sur- 
rounding towns.  The  service  of  Prof.  James  H.  Coffin 
is  a  very  notable  part  of  the  educational  history  of  the 
town.  He  was  called  from  his  duties  here  to  a  profes- 
sorship in  Lafayette  College,  where  he  gained  a  national 
and  European  reputation  by  his  teaching  ability  and  his 
works  on  meteorology  and  mathematics.  His  series  of 
text  books  in  mathematics  were  used  for  a  long  time  in 
the  leading  colleges.  The  academy  continued  its  hon- 
orable and  useful  career  until  the  early  fifties,  when  im- 
orovements  in  the  public  school  system  rendered  its 
existence  no  longer  necessary. 

Hart's  report  in  the  Connecticut  Common  School 
Journal  on  the  schools  of  Norwalk  was  part  of  a  move- 
ment to  improve  the  common  schools  of  the  state.  The 
need  of  reform  was  very  graphically  shown  and  the  work 
of  bettering  educational  conditions  was  carried  on  with 
unfailing  intelligence  and  persistence.  In  the  educa- 
tional history  of  the  period  looms  up  the  great  figure  of 
Henry  Barnard,  who  ranks  with  Horace  Mann  as  one 
of  the  two  foremost  of  American  educators.  In  1837  the 
state  created  a  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Common 
Schools  Mr.  Barnard  was  chosen  secretary  of  this 
board,  which  in  effect  made  him  state  superintendent  of 
common  schools.  Thorough  state  and  local  supervision 
took  the  place  of  the  chaos  that  had  preceded.  The  im- 
press of  Mr.  Barnard's  work  is  to  be  seen  in  the  public 
school  system  of  to-day.  From  1838,  the  date  of  Mr. 
Hart's  report,  to  1853,  we  find  an  increase  in  the  school 
population  of  Norwalk.  The  enumeration  by  districts 
as  it  appears  in  the  state  report  of  1853,  is  as  follows: 

218 


Flax  Hill  ....  71 

Old  Well  .  .  .  .  .253 

North  West  .  .  .  .  .  40 

Down  Town  .  .  .  .  .  117 

North  Center  .  .  .  .  .  125 

Union  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  563 

North  East  .  .  .  .  47 


Total          .  .  .  .  .        i, 216 

Closely  following  the  date  of  this  report  are  to  be 
noted  two  events  which  mark  a  distinct  improvement 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  town  since  the  time  when 
Mr.  Barnard's  agent  held  them  up  to  such  severe  cen- 
sure. One  is  a  piece  of  special  legislation  enacted  in 
1854  authorizing  the  Union  School  District  of  Norwalk 
to  lix  a  rate  of  tuition  for  the  study  of  the  French,  Latin 
and  Greek  languages.  The  Union  District  was  at  that 
lime  very  much  the  largest  school  district  in  town,  con- 
taining nearlv  half  the  school  population.  The  other 
event  was  the  consolidation,  in  1854,  of  the  Old  Well 
and  Flax  Hill  districts  into  the  South  Norwalk  Union 
School  District.  In  the  new  school  which  was  the  re- 
sult of  this  union  the  study  of  the  higher  branches  was 
at  once  taken  up.  Under  these  circumstances  the  Nor- 
walk Academy,  which  had  done  effective  service  in  the 
cause  of  the  higher  education,  was  discontinued,  and  its 
work  was  carried  on  in  the  schools  of  the  two  larger  dis- 
tricts. Two  years  later,  in  1856,  an  important  general 
state  law  was  enacted  which  abolished  all  school  societies 
and  gave  back  to  the  towns  their  control  over  the 
schools.  In  this  way  jurisdiction  over  the  several 
districts  of  the  First  School  Society  passed  to  the 
town  of  Norwalk.  In  addition  to  these  districts,  the 
town  assumed  control  of  the  South,  Middle  and  North 
Five  Mile  River  districts,  which  had  formed  part  of  the 
Darien  School  Society.  Nine  districts  were  thus  placed 
under  the  control  of  the  town  in  1856.  Their  names  and 
the  enumeration  in  each  district  are  given  in  the  state 
report  of  that  year  as  follows: 

Union  ......  625 

South   Union    .  433 

Down  1'own     .  I25 

North  Center  .....  77 

North  East      .....  45 


North  West      .....  41 

North  Five  Mile  River  .  .  58 

Middle  Five  Mile  River  ,  .  .  63 

South  Five  Mile  River  66 


Total         .  .  .  .        i,533 

In  1860  the  Broad  River  district  was  formed,  com- 
prising territory  formerly  a  part  of  the  Union  district. 
The  Center  district  was  formed  in  the  following  year. 
In  each  of  the  districts  just  named  a  new  schoolhouse 
was  built.  These  eleven  districts,  as  far  as  their  boun- 
daries are  concerned,  were  very  much  as  we  know  them 
at  the  present  time.  A  twelfth  district,  whose  existence 
even  is  known  to  very  few,  claims  a  passing  reference. 
In  1850,  by  special  act  of  legislature,  Norwalk,  or  Shef- 
field Island  was  constituted  a  separate  school  district 
"with  all  the  privileges  and  immunities  belonging  to  the 
other  school  districts  of  this  state,"  and  apparently  is  still 
a  legal  part  of  the  district  system  of  the  town. 

As  the  legislative  acts  at  the  close  of  the  eighteenth 
centurv  in  taking  away  the  powers  of  the  towns  over 
schools  had  had  a  depressing  effect,  so  the  restoration 
of  those  powers  after  the  lapse  of  a  little  more  than  fifty 
years  wrought  a  change  for  the  better.  The  town  as  an 
educational  unit  has  shown  its  superiority  over  the  parish 
or  school  society.  The  schools  have  become  more  a 
matter  of  public  concern  and  local  pride.  In  the  last 
forty  years  they  have  grown  with  the  growth  of  the  town. 
New  schoolhouses  have  been  built  and  old  ones  enlarged 
and  remodelled.  In  all  these  changes  and  additions 
there  has  been  a  notable  advance  in  school  architecture, 
in  school  furnishings  and  school  surroundings.  The 
comfort,  health  and  general  well-being  of  the  pupils 
have  received  more  and  more  consideration  in  the 
location,  planning,  construction  and  equipment  of  school 
buildings.  The  details  of  this  progress  will  be  found  in 
the  sketches  of  the  different  districts,  but  a  reference,  at 
least,  to  the  general  fact  seemed  called  for  in  this  place. 

An  institution  which  has  been  a  very  important  edu- 
cational factor  in  the  town  for  the  past  twenty  years  is 
St.  Mary's  Parochial  School,  which  was  established  in 
1880.  The  present  principal  is  Rev.  W.  Kiernan,  and 
his  predecessors  were  Revs.  J.  Russell,  H.  Treanor,  T. 
Crowley,  T.  O'Brien,  J.  Duggan,  J.  Sullivan,  M.  Barry 
and  J.  Loftus.  Ten  teachers  are  employed  and  five  hun- 

m 


dred  pupils  are  connected  with  the  school.  The  courses 
of  study  range  from  the  kindergarten  to  the  high  school 
course.  Drawing  and  vocal  music  are  taught  and  a 
commercial  course  is  given  in  the  last  year.  "This 
school  has  sent  forth  into  the  world  hundreds  of  young 
men  and  women  who  are  devoted  children  of  the  Church 
and  loyal  citizens  of  the  State." 

No  sketch  of  the  educational  history  of  the  town 
should  omit  to  mention  the  private  schools  of  the  latter 
part  of  the  century.  We  have  already  seen  how  im- 
portant they  were  at  an  earlier  period.  With  the  great 
improvement  in  the  public  schools,  private  elementary 
instruction  is  no  longer  given  to  any  extent.  There  has 
always  remained,  however,  a  number  of  excellent  private 
schools  engaged  for  the  most  part  in  the  work  of  higher 
education.  Among  these  the  first  place  must  be  given 
to  the  Selleck  School  for  Boys,  established  in  1855  by 
Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck,  the  historian  of  Norwalk.  The 
school  began  with  about  twenty  scholars  in  a  small 
building  erected  for  the  purpose.  This  was  soon  out- 
grown, and  successive  additions  were  made  to  the 
original  building  as  the  school  increased  in  numbers. 
The  school  was  almost  exclusively  a  boarding  institution 
and  for  several  years  averaged  nearly  one  hundred 
boarding  pupils.  Its  patronage  came  from  all  sections 
of  the  country  and  even  from  abroad.  For  many  years 
the  work  was  carried  on  by  the  principal  and  six  assist- 
ants, and  the  courses  covered  the  usual  studies  pursued 
in  such  institutions.  Boys  were  fitted  for  Yale,  Har- 
vard and  Princeton  and  also  for  West  Point  and  the 
United  States  Naval  Academy.  A  commercial  depart- 
ment was  a  prominent  feature  in  the  courses  of  study. 
The  school  enjoyed  a  wide  reputation  and  was  success- 
fully conducted  by  Mr.  Selleck  until  1889,  a  period  of 
thirty-four  years.  A  very  appreciative  and  complimen- 
tary notice  of  this  school  by  Dr.  Edward  I.  Sears  ap- 
peared in  the  National  Quarterly  Review  for  March. 
1875.  Dr.  Sears'  closing  words  are:  "We  cannot,  there- 
fore, conclude  these  hurried  observations  more  appro- 
priately than  by  applying  to  Mr.  Selleck's  school  the  line 
of  Plantus: 

'Sat  habet  favitorum  semper,  qui  recte  facit.'  " 

After  Mr.  Selleck  severed  his  connection  with  the 
school  it  was  conducted  on  somewhat  different  lines  by 


Col.  Roberts  and  known  as  the  Norwalk  Military  Insti- 
tute. As  the  Norwalk  University  School  it  is  now  under 
the  management  of  Mr.  William  G.  Chase,  a  thoroughly 
modern  boarding  and  day  school  for  boys,  with  two  col- 
lege preparatory  and  two  finishing  courses.  Mr.  Chase 
took  charge  of  the  school  in  1897.  Three  assistants  are 
associated  with  him  in  the  work  of  instruction  and  thirty- 
two  pupils  are  in  attendance.  Although  not  a  military 
school,  the  boys  are  fully  uniformed  and  equipped  and 
thoroughly  drilled  in  military  exercises. 

Mention  should  also  be  made  of  the  school  for  boys 
conducted  by  Dr.  Jabez  C.  Fitch  in  the  building  now 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Mead's  seminary  for  girls  and  young 
ladies.  This  school  flourished  for  a  number  of  years  and 
had  a  high  reputation. 

Prof.  Alexander  Johnston  was  for  several  years, 
and  until  1883,  principal  of  the  Norwalk  Latin  School  in 
the  building  now  used  as  the  Grace  Church  rectory. 
Prof.  Johnston  was  at  that  time  well  known  as  the  author 
of  a  history  of  American  Politics  and  as  one  of  the 
principal  contributors  to  Labor's  Cyclopaedia  of  Politi- 
cal Science,  Political  Economy  and  United  States  His- 
tory. Prof.  Johnston  was  called  from  this  school  to  a 
professorship  in  Princeton  University,  where  he  gained 
a  national  and  European  reputation  by  his  scholarly  and 
brilliant  historical  writing. 

Mr.  James  Benedict  conducted  a  boys'  school  for 
several  years  during  the  sixties  on  Bay  View  avenue, 
South  Norwalk,  occupying  the  place  now  owned  by 
Mrs.  Mary  J.  Couch.  Besides  the  present  dwelling 
house  a  building  on  the  same  premises  was  used  for 
school  purposes,  serving  as  a  class  room. 

Mr.  John  Osborn,  formerly  principal  of  the  Church 
Hall  School,  New  Canaan,  had  a  fine  boarding  school  on 
Strawberry  Hill,  and  deserves  high  mention.  His  pupils 
were  mostly  from  New  York  city.  Miss  Louise  A. 
Smith  also  maintained  for  several  years  a  young  ladies' 
seminary  of  repute  and  merit. 

Miss  Helen  M.  B.  Stevens  established  the  Home 
Lawn  School  for  Young  Ladies  in  1872  in  the  house 
now  occupied  by  W  F.  Bishop,  15  Belden  avenue.  The 
school  was  conducted  in  this  and  other  locations  until 
it  was  discontinued  in  1885.  Miss  Stevens  had  the  as- 
sistance of  from  three  to  five  teachers  and  instruction 
was  given  to  an  average  of  about  thirty  pupils.  Diplomas 
were  awarded  on  the  completion  of  a  four  years'  course, 

sss 


which  included  languages  and  the  higher  studies.    Work 
of  a  more  elementary  character  was  also  carried  on. 

Mrs.  White  conducted  a  school  for  young  ladies  on 
West  avenue,  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  residence 
of  Dr.  W.  J.  Tracey.  This  school  flourished  in  the  years 
following  the  war,  arid  enjoyed  a  very  high  reputation. 
The  Misses  Brockway's  Select  School  for  Young 
Ladies  and  Children  was  established  in  1869  and  con- 
tinued until  the  close  of  the  school  year  in  June,  1882 
Miss  Mary  Adelaide  Brockway  was  principal  and  six  or 
seven  teachers  were  usually  employed.  There  was  an 
average  attendance  of  about  thirty  pupils.  A  four  years' 
course,  embracing  algebra,  geometry,  languages,  com- 
position and  literature,  fitted  graduates  to  enter  college. 
Special  attention  was  given  to  history  and  several 
branches  of  natural  science ;  also,  to  drawing,  elocution 
and  music  and  other  studies  usually  pursued  in  such  a 
school. 

The  subject  of  the  private  schools  of  the  past,  even 
those  which  have  been  maintained  during  the  last  fifty 
years,  has  been  an  extremely  difficult  one  to  treat  with 
any  degree  of  satisfaction.  Information  has  not  been 
easy  to  obtain  and  verify.  Much  time  and  effort  have 
been  spent  in  gathering  what  is  here  presented,  and  the 
period  for  the  preparation  of  this  paper  has  been  neces- 
sarily limited.  The  writer  can  only  hope  that  there  have 
not  been  many  serious  omissions  and  that  the  narration 
will  be  found  correct  as  far  as  it  goes. 

An  account  of  the  private  schools  of  Norwalk  will 
fittingly  close  with  a  reference  to  those  in  existence  at  the 
present  time.  It  is  to  be  truthfully  said  that  they  main- 
tain their  earlier  reputation  for  fidelity  to  sound  edu- 
cational principles  and  for  able  and  successful  manage- 
ment. 

Miss  Baird's  Home  School  for  Girls,  located  at  the 
cornei  of  West  Avenue  and  Orchard  Street,  was  estab- 
lished in  1871  and  has  continued  under  the  management 
of  its  present  principal,  Miss  Cornelia  F.  Baird,  from  the 
beginning  This  school  has  been  a  growing  institution 
and  now  numbers  between  fifty  and  sixty  pupils  and 
eleven  teachers  in  the  several  departments.  Studies  are 
pursued  in  primary,  intermediate  and  post  graduate 
courses.  ''Graduates  are  prepared  for  college  or  society, 
possessing  disciplined  minds  and  bodies,  carefully  form- 
ed manners  and  self  control."  There  are  regular  and 
special  courses  in  art  and  in  music,  both  vocal  and  in- 


strum ental,  including  piano,  violin,  harp,  mandolin,  etc. 

Another  meritorious  institution  is  Mrs.  Melville  E. 
Mead's  School  for  Girls  and  Young  Ladies.  This  school 
was  founded  in  Darien  in  1883  and  moved  to  Nonvallc 
in  1889.  It  has  a  faculty  of  eleven  teachers  and  has  gain- 
ed a  high  and  wide  reputation  for  scholarly  work.  The 
aim  of  the  school  is  summed  up  in  the  sentence  "to  foster 
the  growth  of  an  earnest,  helpful  and  unselfish  woman- 
hood." There  is  a  primary  department  and  more  ad- 
vanced courses  preparing  for  the  colleges ;  also,  a  gen- 
eral course  for  students  who  do  not  intend  to  enter  col- 
lege. Special  courses  in  music  and  art  are  offered  to 
those  who  wish  to  pursue  the  study  of  those  branches. 

Prof.  Carl  A.  Harstrom,  A.  'M.,  Ph.  D.,  writes  to 
the  author  of  this  paper  that  he  "is  not  conducting  a 
school  and  therefore  it  can  not  have  a  name."  With 
four  assistants  he  does  private  tutoring  for  Yale,  Har- 
vard an.-i  Princeton,  the  number  of  pupils  ranging  during 
the  year  from  six  or  eight  up  to  twenty.  Prof.  Harstrom 
has  charge  of  this  larger  number  during  the  summer 
time  when  boys  are  preparing  for  the  fall  college  examin- 
ations. 

The  Norwalk  University  school  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  William  G.  Chase,  has  already  been  referred 
to  as  a  continuation  of  the  institution  founded  by  the 
Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck. 

The  great  expansion  of  commercial  opportunities 
and  of  the  commercial  spirit  in  recent  years  and  the 
numerous  consequent  changes  and  improvements  in 
business  methods  have  brought  about  a  corresponding 
demand  for  persons  specially  trained  to  meet  the  exac- 
tions forced  upon  the  business  world  by  the  new  condi- 
tions. The  number  of  commercial  schools  has  greatly 
multiplied  unti!  one  or  more  of  these  institutions  is  now 
to  be  found  in  every  considerable  city  or  town.  Their 
existence  and  generally  flourishing  condition  are  evi- 
dence that  they  supply  a  real  need.  Brown's  Business 
College  in  South  Norwalk  was  opened  for  instruction 
in  September,  1897.  The  number  of  pupils  in  the 
school  year  has  grown  from  97  to  159.  Mr.  I.  S.  Brown 
was  the  first  principal.  Associated  with  him  from  the 
beginning  was  Mr.  G.  E.  Sartain,  who  in  November, 
1900,  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Brown  and  has  since 
had  the  management  of  the  school.  It  is  now  organized 
with  five  departments,  English,  commercial,  shorthand, 
telegraphy  and  typewriting.  Day  and  evening  sessions 


224 


are  held  and  134  young  men  and  women  have  been  grad- 
uated from  the  different  courses.  It  has  convenient 
rooms  in  the  United  Bank  Building  and  in  equipment 
and  grade  of  its  instruction  ranks  with  the  best  schools 
of  its  class. 

No  sketch  of  the  educational  interests  of  the  town, 
however  brief,  can  omit  a  reference  to  the  public  librar- 
ies. There  are  two  of  these  institutions,  one  in  each 
of  the  cities  of  Norwalk  and  South  Norwalk.  These 
libraries  are  not  maintained  and  managed  by  the  town, 
but  by  the  two  cities,  and  in  each  instance  for  the  benefit 
of  its  own  citizens.  A  detailed  history  of  the  Norwalk 
and  the  South  Norwalk  public  libraries,  as  well  as  other 
information,  will  appear  in  papers  prepared  by  the  librar- 
ians. 

To  complete  this  paper  it  remains  to  take  a  passing 
glance  at  the  condition  of  Norwalk's  public  schools  at 
the  end  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  years.  We  have  seen 
that  improvements  have  been  contemporaneous  and  to 
a  certain  degree  commensurate  with  attention  to  the 
higher  education.  There  is,  unfortunately,  no  central 
town  high  school,  but  by  a  sort  of  natural  evolution,  a 
high  school  department  has  grown  up  in  each  of  the 
schools  of  the  four  larger  districts,  South  Norwalk, 
Over  River,  Center  and  East  Norwalk,  with  well  arrang- 
ed courses  of  study.  Students  have  been  graduated,  who 
have  taken  the  normal  school  course  as  a  further  prepar- 
ation for  teaching,  in  this  way  justifying  the  expenditure 
of  the  public  money  on 'high  school  instruction  in  con- 
sideration of  its  direct  benefit  to  the  schools  as  a  whole. 
Othei  graduates  have  gone  into  various  walks  of  life 
with  the  advantage  of  high  school  training.  Still  others 
have  been  fitted  to  pursue  courses  of  study  in  colleges 
and  technical  schools.  While  recognizing  the  excellent 
results  of  the  work  of  these  four  high  school  departments, 
it  should  be  said  that  there  yet  remains  in  the  direction 
of  progress  the  logical  step  of  consolidating  these  four 
departments  into  one  central  high  school. 

Ihe  contrast  between  the  public  schools  of  to-day 
and  those  of  the  first  part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  is  a 
wide  one.  During  the  earlier  period  these  schools  were 
supported  chiefly  from  the  income  of  public  funds  and 
tuition  rates.  Public  taxation  was  avoided.  The  pur- 
chase of  school  books  was  felt  as  a  burden  and  children 
used  the  books  that  could  be  most  easily  procured,  no 
matter  what  the  consequences  to  system  and  uniformity 

M 


in  the  work  of  the  school.  We  have  already  seen  that 
the  schools  were  very  poorly  attended,  nearly  two-thirds 
of  the  children  of  Norwalk  being  without  benefit  from 
the  public  monev.  The  benefit  of  special  training  for 
teachers  did  not  begin  to  be  felt  until  after  the  establish- 
ment of  the  normal  school  at  New  Britain  in  1850.  Grad- 
ed courses  of  instruction  in  the  schools  of  the  town  were 
the  development  of  a  still  later  period  when  they  "Were  a 
necessary  growth  in  the  larger  schools. 

At  the  present  time  the  public  schools  are  really  free. 
Tuition  rates  were  abolished  by  legislation  in  1868.  In 
the  very  closing  year  of  the  century,  October,  1900,  the 
town  voted  to  furnish  text  books  and  supplies  free  for 
the  use  of  all  scholars.  Following  this  vote  a  revised 
list  of  text  books  was  authorized  by  the  board  of  school 
visitors  at  a  meeting  in  December  of  the  same  year.  The 
schools  are  now  maintained  for  the  larger  part  by  public 
taxation  and  not  by  the  income  of  public  funds.  During 
the  school  vear  ending  July  14,  1901,  $10,569.37  was  re- 
ceived from  the  state  and  local  funds  for  the  support  of 
schools  but  the  sum  of  $54,215.84  came  from  town  and 
district  taxation.  Children  are  not  suffered  to  grow  up 
without  school  advantages.  In  October,  1900,  there 
were  4,483  children  of  school  age,  of  whom  636  were  re- 
ported not  in  school.  Of  this  number  not  in  school  448 
were  under  seven  years  of  age  and  159  were  over  four- 
teen. There  were  3,876  children  between  the  ages  of 
seven  and  fourteen  and  of  this  number  only  29  were  out 
of  school  and  these  for  sufficient  reasons.  Of  the  chil- 
dren of  school  age  reported  in  school,  3.319  were  in  the 
public  schools,  485  in  St.  Mary's  Parochial  School,  and 
46  in  private  schools.  An  evening  school  for  persons 
over  fourteen  years  of  age  has  been  maintained  at  each 
end  of  the  town  since  its  establishment  in  1893.  Last 
year  the  registration  in  this  school  amounted  to  144  and 
the  school  was  continued  for  75  sessions.  The  work  is 
chieflv  elementary  and  to  a  large  extent  among  foreign- 
ers anxious  to  learn  the  English  language.  There  have, 
however,  been  at  times  large  classes  in  bookkeeping  and 
commercial  branches  and  in  mechanical  drawing.  A 
graded  course  of  study  extending  to  the  high  school,  and 
applicable  to  all  the  schools  in  town,  was  adopted  by  the 
town  school  board  April  17,  1900,  and  uniform  courses 
of  study  for  the  high  school  department  are  in  prepara- 
tion. The  closing  year  of  the  century  has  thus  witness- 
ed important  and  marked  changes  and  improvements  in 

828 


the  educational  system  of  the  town.  It  is  a  great  satis- 
faction to  end  this  paper  with  a  chronicle  of  achievement 
so  full  of  promise  for  the  future. 


LIST  OF  OFFICERS  OF  THE  SOUTH  NOR- 

WALK  UNION  SCHOOL  DISTRICT, 

1854-1901. 

DISTRICT  COMMITTEES: 

Bur  Nash,  18^4-1855,  1857-1859. 
William  T.  Craw,  18^4-1855,  1856-1858. 
Ebenezer  Hill,  1854-1857,'  1860-1869. 
William  O.  Beard,  1855-1856. 
Hezekiah  Raymond,  185^-1856,  1859-1862. 
John  H.  Smith,  1856-1857. 
A.  Dickerman,  1857-1860. 

Moses  B.  Pardee,  1858-1861,  1864-1865,  1871-1873, 
1874-1875. 

Davis  Hatch,  1861-1864. 

Dudley  P.  Ely,  1862-1864,  1871-1872. 

Tames" H.  Knapp,  1866-1870. 

W.  S.  Hanford,  1865-1866. 

H.  H.  Elwell,  1864-1870,  1875-1877. 

Lewis  F.  Beers,  1869-1870. 

E.  A.  W'oodward,  1870-1871. 

J.  J.  Millard,  i87o-'i87i,  1874-1875. 

S.  C.  Palmer,  1870-1872. 

R.  H.  Rowan,  1872-1873. 

Edwin  Adams,  1872-1875,  1878-1880. 

A.  J.  Crofut,  1873-1874,  1875-1877. 

Talmadge  Baker,  1873-1874. 

A.  ).  Thompson,  1874-1875. 

Charles  F.  Hallock,  1875-1878. 

William  T.  Comstock,  1877-1878. 

Thomas  I.  Raymond,  1877-1879,  1880-1885. 

Jacob  M.  Layton,  1878-1881. 

George  W   Day,  1880-1884, 

Tohn  A.  Slater,' 1881-1885. 

George  W.  Carroll,  1885-1886. 

f.  A.  Farrington,  1885-1886. 

Robert  Pearson,  1885-1886. 

Walter  C.  Quintard,  1886-1887. 

Franklin  A.  Smith,  1886-1887. 

227 


Richard  H.  Golden,  1888-1891. 
Abiathar  Blanchard,  1886.     Still  in  office. 
Matthew  Corbett,  1887.     Still  in  office. 
John  H.  Light,  1887-1888  1891.     Still  in  office. 

DISTRICT  CLERKS. 

Matthew  Wilcox,  1854-1860. 

William  H.  Benedict,  1860-1882. 

John  W.  Scott,  1882-1885. 

David  R.  Selleck,  1885-1886. 

Nelson  Dickerman,  1886.     Still  in  office. 

DISTRICT  TREASURERS. 

William  H.  Benedict,  1854-1858. 
Frank  H.  Nash,  1858-1861. 
Chester  F.  Tolles,  1862-1873. 
James  A.  Brown,  1873-1881. 
George  C.  Stillson,  1881-1882. 
Jacob  M.  Layton,  1882.     Still  in  office. 

DISTRICT  COLLECTORS. 

Daniel  F.  Benedict,  1854-1859. 

Matthew  Wilcox,  1859-1862. 

Frederick  S.  Lyon,  1862-1863,  1864-1871. 

J^orenzo  Dibble,  1863-1864. 

Nelson  J.  Craw,  1871-1873. 

William  S   Bouton,  1873-1880. 

Franklin  A.  Tolles.  1880     Still  in  office. 

DISTRICT  AUDITORS. 

Thomas  I.  Raymond,  1876-1878. 

Lorenzo  Dibble,  1878-1885. 

A.  J.  Crofut,  i88<:-i886. 

Franklin  A.  Smith,  1886-1887. 

John  W.  Dake,  1887.     Still  in  office. 

BUILDING  COMMITTEES. 

Original  building  at  Franklin  St.,  1854. 
Burr  Nash. 
William  T.  Craw. 
Ebenezer  Hill. 


Original  building  at  Concord  St.,  1870. 

E.  A.  Woodward. 

William  T.  Craw. 

Charles  R.  Townsend. 

Andrew  J   Crofut. 

John  H.  Smith. 

Addition  at  Franklin  St.,  1873. 
Edwin  Adams. 
S.  C.  Palmer. 
C.  W.  Knudsen. 

Addition  at  Concord  St.,  1886. 
Edwin  Adams. 
Thomas  I.  Raymond. 
John  A.  Slater. 
Walter  C.  Quintard. 
Abiathar  Blanchard. 
Franklin  A.  Smith. 

Addition  at  Franklin  St.,  1897. 
Abiathar  Blanchard. 
John  H.  Light. 
Matthew  Corbett. 

- 


THE     SOUTH      NORWALK 
UNION     SCHOOL    DISTRICT 

HE    genesis    of    the  South    Norwalk 
Union  School  District  is  to  be  found 
in  the  consolidation  of  the  Old  Well 
and  Flax  Hill  districts  in  1854.  These 
two  districts    had    been  in  existence 
since  early  in  the  century,  as  is  shown 
by  the  record  book  of  the  First  School 
Society   of   Norwalk.       The    districts 
themselves  have  left  no  records  as  far  as  the  writer  of 
ihis  paper  has  been  able  to  ascertain.     Fortunately  the 
records  of  the  consolidated  district  are  full  and  complete 
from  the  beginning.    In  answer  to  a  petition  from  Mat- 
thew Wilcox  and  others  presented  to  the  First  School 
Society  in  December,  1853,  a  meeting  of  the  society  was 
held  in  the  following  January  and  a  vote  was  passed  that 
the  Old  Well  and  Max  Hill  districts  be  consolidated  into 
one  under  the  name  of  the  South  Norwalk  Union  School 
District.     This  action  was  confirmed  by  the  legislature 
in  the  May  session  of  1855.  Before  the  end  of  the  month 
a  school  meeting  of  the  new  district  was  held  and  the 
following  officers  chosen :     Matthew  Wilcox,  clerk  ;  Burr 
Nash    William  T.  Craw  and  Ebenezer  Hill,  committee ; 
William  H.  Benedict,  treasurer,  and  Daniel  F.  Benedict, 
collector.     The  school  houses  in  the  two  districts  were 
a  one  room  building  on  Flax  Hill,  near  the  junction  of 
West  and  Lowe  Streets,  and  a  two  room  building  near 
the  site  of  the  newly  erected  soldiers'  monument.     At 
the  time  of  the  consolidation  there  were  324  children  of 
school  age  within  the  district  boundaries.       Immediate 
steps  were  taken  to  erect  a  new  school  house.     One  acre 
of  land  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Algernon  E.  Beard  for 
$1075,  and  a  five  room  building  was  constructed  in  the 
course  of  the  following  summer.     These  rooms  still  re- 
main a  part  of  the  present  Franklin  building  consisting 
of  the  two  rear  basement  rooms,  the  two  rooms  on  the 
floor  above  and  a  large  room  on  the  third  floor.     In 
front  of  these  rooms  were  hall  and  stair  ways  and  a 
suitable  entrance  to  such  a  structure.     The  new  school- 
house  was  of  wood,  but  the  district  had  voted  that  ''the 
building  be  filled  in  with  brick,  as  a  contractor  found  to 
his  cost  when  a  change  was  made  in  the  location  of  the 

880 


windows  forty-three  years  later.  Mr.  E.  J.  Peck  was 
the  first  principal.  Instruction  in  the  higher  branches 
was  undertaken  from  the  first  and  the  opening  of  the 
new  school  was  in  many  ways  a  notable  event.  Mr. 
Peck  held  the  position  for  four  or  five  years  and  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Bradley  for  a  short  term.  The  next 
choice  of  principal  was  made  in  school  meeting,  April 
13,  1860,  when  Mr.  William  T.  Comfort  was  elected  to 
that  position  by  ballot,  with  the  provision  that  the  sal- 
ary should  not  exceed  $800.  This  choice  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  a  fortunate  one,  for  early  in  September  of 
the  same  year  the  district  records  show  that  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  investigate  his  conduct  in  relation  to 
the  school.  In  March,  1861,  he  was  relieved  from  his 
duties  and  Mr.  F.  S.  Lyon  was  appointed  in  his  place,  a 
position  which  he  held  until  1873.  Mr.  Lyon  was  a 
strong  disciplinarian  and  a  thorough  teacher.  Still  liv- 
ing here  in  honored  retirement,  he  is  well  remembered 
and  highly  esteemed  by  many  who  profited  by  his  in- 
struction a  generation  ago.  Up  to  1868,  when  they  were 
abolished  by  law,  the  schools  were  supported  in  part  by 
tuition  rates.  A  schedule  adopted  January  24,  1859, 
reads  as  follows: 

First  Primary,     .  .  .  ..  .90  for  12  weeks 

Second  Primary,  .  .  .  i.oo 

Intermediate,        .  .  .  .  1.25 

Grammar,    .         .  .  .  .  1.5° 

SENIOR  DEPARTMENT. 

High  School 4-00  " 

Out  of  district  scholars,         .          .       5.00  " 

The  schedules  were  changed  from  time  to  time  as 
occasion  required. 

In  1856  the  number  of  scholars  enumerated  in  the 
district  was  433.  In  1870  the  number  had  grown  to  758 
and  it  became  necessary  to  provide  more  school  rooms. 
This  was  done  by  the  erection  in  Concord  street  of  a 
three-room  building,  comprising  the  two  cloak  rooms  of 
the  present  building  and  a  larger  room  on  the  floor 
above.  The  building  was  completed  in  season  for  the 
opening  of  the  school  in  the  fall  of  1871  and  cost  a  little 
less  than  $10,000.  Still  there  was  not  school  room 
enough,  and  in  1873  an  addition  was  made  to  the  Frank- 

281 


lin  Street  schoolhouse,  changing  it  from  a  five  to  a  nine, 
and,  later,  to  a  ten—room  building  with  a  large  assembly 
hall  still  in  use.  The  reported  cost  of  the  building  was 
$17,715.  With  the  opening  of  the  building  began  the 
incumbency  of  Mr.  Samuel  T.  Button,  who  continued 
in  charge  of  the  schools  of  the  district  until  he  resigned 
in  the  spring  of  1877  to  accept  the  principalship  of  the 
Eaton  School  in  New  Haven.  Mr.  Button's  service  in 
the  South  Norwalk  schools  was  a  notable  one.  He  has 
since  gained  additional  distinction  in  other  and  wider 
fields  and  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  edu- 
cators in  the  country.  Mr.  Button  was  succeeded  by  his 
brother,  Mr.  Silas  B.  Button,  who  conducted  the  school 
successfully  until  shortly  before  his  lamented  death  in 
March,  1879,  having  been  compelled  on  account  of  poor 
health  to  ask  for  leave  of  absence  the  January  previous. 
Mr.  Frederick  Seymour,  a  student  in  Yale,  acted  as 
principal  for  the  remainder  of  the  school  year.  Mr. 
Henry  M.  Walradt  was  next  appointed  to  the  place, 
which  he  filled  acceptably  until  he  resigned  in  the  spring 
of  1884  to  take  charge  of  another  school.  Mr.  Herbert 
S.  Brown,  then  a  recent  graduate  of  Yale,  and  now  pas- 
tor of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Barien,  served  with 
ability  as  principal  until  the  end  of  the  school  year. 

Mr.  Edward  S.  Hall  became  principal  of  the  South 
Norwalk  schools  in  September,  1884,  a  position  which 
he  held  for  four  years  and  for  which  he  had  many  qualifi- 
cations. Buring  his  incumbency  the  schoolhouse  at  Con- 
cord street  was  enlarged  from  three  to  eight  rooms  and 
otherwise  greatly  improved  at  a  cost  of  about  $12,000. 
This  work  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1886.  Subse- 
quently other  improvements  were  made  which  placed  the 
building  and  premises  in  a  proper  sanitary  condition. 
At  the  time  this  building  was  completed  the  enumeration 
of  the  children  of  the  district  had  risen  to  1,086. 

In  1888  Mr.  William  C.  Foote  assumed  the  duties 
of  principal,  which  he  has  discharged  with  signal  success 
down  to  the  present  time,  a  period  of  thirteen  years. 
Buring  *his  time  the  school  population  of  the  district 
has  continued  to  grow.  Within  a  few  years  after  the 
completion  of  the  building  at  Concord  street  school,  ac- 
commodations again  became  insufficient.  The  erection 
of  another  building  was  for  a  long  time  delayed  through 
the  failure  of  the  voters  of  the  district  to  agree  upon  a 
location.  Meanwhile  one  room  after  another  was  hired 
until  during  the  school  year  of  1896-1897  three  rooms 


in  the  Knudsen  building,  two  rooms  in  Mr.  Solman's 
hat  factory  and  Arion  Hall,  six  rooms  in  all,  were  used 
for  school  purposes.  It  was  finally  voted  to  build  a 
brick  addition  at  Franklin  street  and  to  remodel  the 
whole  building.  The  sum  of  $37,000  was  appropriated 
for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Warren  R.  Briggs,  an  architect 
of  high  reputation,  furnished  the  plans,  and  the  result 
is  a  building  greatly  in  advance  of  anything  before  un- 
dertaken in  the  town,  and  in  line  with  the  best  work  any- 
where. The  district  now  possesses  a  magnificent  school- 
house,  intelligently  planned  and  thoroughly  equipped  for 
school  work  and  embodying  the  latest  ideas  for  the  health 
and  comfort  of  its  occupants.  It  has  set  a  standard 
which  public  sentiment  will  hardly  suffer  school  officials 
to  fall  below  in  any  future  enterprises  of  the  kind. 

In  less  than  fifty  years  the  school  population  of  the 
district  has  grown  from  324  to  upwards  of  1,700.  In  the 
place  of  three  teachers  there  are  now  thirty-five.  The 
two  school  buildings,  with  their  twenty-six  class  rooms 
are  full  to  overflowing.  Already  accommodations  have 
had  to  be  sought  outside  and  the  Knudsen  building  is 
occupied  by  a  large  kindergarten  and  one  of  the  higher 
grades.  It  will  soon  be  necessary  to  repeat  the  experi- 
ence of  former  years  and  plan  for  a  new  schoolhouse. 

A.  BLANCHARD. 

November  8,  1901. 


THE       S 
UNION 


PRINGWOOD 
SUN  D  A  Y-SC  H  OO  L 


HE  Springwood  Union  Sunday  school 
was  started  in  June,  1869,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  children  in  that 
vicinity.  Mr.  A.  B.  Snowden  con- 
verted a  barn  opposite  his  own  resi- 
dence into  a  school  room  and  his 
daughter,  Miss  Susan  Snowden,  in- 
vited Mr.  Charles  M.  Lawrence  to 
take  charge  of  the  school ;  this  he  consented  to  do 
for  six  months  and  he  has  remained  its  superin- 
tendent for  thirty-two  years.  The  school  was  non- 
denominational  and  it  began  with  a  membership  of 
forty-eight  but  in  a  few  years  the  attendance  was 
doubled.  The  hour  of  meeting  was  3  o'clock  on  Sun- 
day, with  prayer  meeting  on  Sunday  and  Wednesday 
evenings  for  the  adult  population  of  Springwood. 
Neighborhood  prayer  meetings  were  also  held  at  various 
times  at  private  houses  in  "the  Hollow,"  now  called  Lex- 
ington avenue,  and  on  Woodward  avenue.  A  great  deal 
of  charitable  visiting  and  relief  work  accompanied  these 
services  by  the  officers  of  Springwood  Chapel ;  the  su- 
perintendent, especially,  devoted  himself  to  this  mission 
work. 

In  1876  and  18/7  series  of  revival  meetings  were 
held,  and  many  persons  were  converted  who  joined  the 
various  churches  in  South  Norwalk. 

In  1882  twenty-four  persons  were  converted  during 
six  weeks'  nightly  services  led  by  Mr.  Lawrence.  In 
1883  the  lease  of  the  Snowden  property  having  expired 
it  was  decided  to  build  a  new  chapel.  It  was  completed 
in  i88c;  at  a  cost  of  $2,001.67  f°r  the  lot  and  building, 
which  were  situated  a  short  distance  below  the  old  chapel 
on  Ely  avenue. 

In  1801,  the  evening  prayer  meetings  were  discon- 
tinued after  twenty  years'  observance  of  the  custom, 
owing  to  a  diminished  attendance.  This  was  due  to  the 
change  in  the  character  of  the  population  of  Springwood, 
most  of  the  English-speaking  residents  having  removed 
and  a  large  foreign-born  element  taking  their^place  who 
were  chiefly  Hungarians  and  Italians,  most  of  whom 
were  Roman  Catholics.  The  Sunday  school  still  pros- 

234 


pers  and  does  good  work  among  the  children  of  Spring- 
wood. 

The  present  officers  of  the  school  are:  Charles  M. 
Lawrence,  superintendent ;  Edward  S.  Merriam,  secre- 
tary, and  a  corps  of  eleven  teachers. 


NORTH     WEST     SCHOOL 

HE  early  history  of  the  North  West 
School  'district  is  difficult  to  trace,  as 
there  is  so  little  available  record.  Just 
when  the  district  was  established  is  not 
known,  but  it  is  certain  that  a  school 
building  was  erected  previous  to  the 
vear  1800,  probably  about  1790,  on  the 
lot  now  belonging  to  Mr.  Butterworth. 
The  exact  site  of  this  first  schoolhouse  was,  as  near- 
ly as  can  be  ascertained,  on  the  elevation  of  land  just 
north  of  the  large  gate  leading  to  the  Buttenvorth  barn. 
The  building  was  a  one-story  structure,  made  of  wood, 
and  fronting  on  the  main  street. 

The  heating  of  the  building  was  accomplished  by  a 
fire  of  wood  on  a  stone  hearth.  The  furniture  was  of 
the  rustic  sort.  There  was  a  row  of  rough  board  desks 
around  three  sides  of  the  room  and  the  seats  or  benches 
were  made  of  a  half  log  with  the  flat  surface  up,  and  the 
rounding  surface,  into  which  legs  were  driven  for  sup- 
port, down.  This  building  was  used  for  school  purposes 
up  to  the  year  1836;  it  was  then  made  over  into  a  dwell- 
ing. The  writer  has  no  knowledge  of  its  after  history 
nor  of  the  teachers  who  taught  within  its  walls. 

The  second  schoolhouse,  which  was  occupied  in  the 
year  1836,  was  also  a  one-story  building,  built  of  brick, 
and  about  20x35  feet  in  size.  It  was  erected  on  a  tri- 
angular plot  formed  by  the  three  roads  just  south  of  the 
Norwalk  Mills  and  north  of  the  Orcutt  store,  and  about 
fifteen  feet  east  of  the  Danbury  and  Norwalk  railroad 
track. 

There  was  a  belfry  on  this  building,  but  no  bell. 
There  were  eight  windows  in  the  building.  A  cloak 
room  and  a  wood  bin,  leading  from  the  cloak  room,  oc- 
cupied onv  end  of  the  building.  The  interior  was  very 
prettv  with  its  arched  ceiling  and  white  walls.  There 
was  a  row  of  desks  around  three  sides  of  the  room,  and 
the  pupils,  when  at  their  desks,  sat  with  backs  to  the 
teacher,  whose  desk  was  in  the  front  end  of  the  room. 
The  seats  were  benches  about  eight  or  ten  feet  in  length 
without  backs.  Tn  the  center  of  the  room  were  rows  of 
recitation  benches ;  also  two  or  three  benches  for  pupils 
too  small  to  sit  at  the  desks.  When  a  class  was  called 
pupils  would  turn  on  their  benches,  throw  their  feet  over 

236 


and  face  the  teacher  and  then  take  places  in  class.  This 
building  would  seat,  about  fifty  pupils  conveniently,  but 
often  as  many  as  sixty  or  seventy  were  enrolled. 

In  the  year  1850  a  district  meeting  was  called  to 
take  into  consideration  the  damage  incurred  by  the  pass- 
ing of  the  Danbury  and  Norwalk  railroad  through  the 
school  property.  A  committee  was  appointed  in  1857 
to  employ  counsel  and  wait  on  the  president  of  the  rail- 
road in  regard  to  the  collection  of  damages  for  the  dis- 
trict. Whether  any  damages  were  allowed,  the  records 
do  not  say.  This  building  continued  to  be  used,  how- 
ever, for  several  years  with  the  railroad  track  just  in  the 
rear. 

The  enumeration  of  the  district  in  1851  was  twenty- 
six.  This  same  year  a  meeting  was  called  to  consider 
the  advisability  of  consolidating  the  North  West,  South 
Center,  Over  River  and  Pudding  Lane  districts  into  one, 
10  be  known  as  the  Union  School  district.  A  resolution 
favoring  this  was  passed  and  E.  C.  Bissell  was  appointed 
a  committee  to  present  the  resolution  to  the  School  So- 
ciety's committee. 

Information  as  to  the  outcome  of  this  proposed  con- 
solidation is  not  given  in  the  records. 

Amone  the  teachers  who  taught  in  this  second 
school  building  were  Charles  Gregory,  Giles  Gregory, 
John  Taylor,  Samuel  Willard,  Roswell  Taylor,  Hiram 
Fuller,  Hiram  Edwards,  George  A.  Davenport,  who  was 
later  Judge  of  Probate  for  years;  Mr.  Morgan,  Miss 
Keeler,  Miss  Nash,  George  Fillow,  General  Charles  Olm- 
stead,  for  years  postmaster  of  Norwalk  and  later  secre- 
tary of  the 'Board  of  School  Visitors ;  Ruth  Stebbins,  Sar- 
ah F.  Aiken,  who  resides  at  present  near  the  site  of  the 
brick  school :  Homer  Pinkney  and  J.  J.  Fairty. 

The  salary  of  the  teachers  employed  in  this  building 
ranged  from  fourteen  dollars  per  month  in  1852  to  forty- 
four  dollars  in  1867.  Some  of  the  teachers  were  required 
to  "board  round." 

In  the  year  1866  the  enumeration  of  the  district  was 
one  hundred  and  fifty-five.  In  1867  it  had  increased  to 
one  hundred  and  ninety-two.  This  large  enumeration, 
together  with  the  dangerous  location  of  the  school,  seems 
to  have  moved  the  district  to  secure  a  site  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  building. 

As  earlv  as  1863  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
select  a  site  for  a  new  schoolhouse  and  one  just  north  of 

S87 


ihe  present  school  building,  where  the  bill-board  now 
stands,  was  chosen. 

In  March,  1863,  the  district  reconsidered  the  action 
taken  by  tnis  committee  and  appointed  a  second  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Morgan  Smith,  C.  M.  Gregory  and 
C.  C.  Berts,  to  purchase  another  site. 

They  purchased  the  spot  on  which  the  present 
school  building  now  stands  for  the  sum  of  six  hundred 
dollars.  The  records  do  not  say  why  this  site  was 
chosen,  possibly  because,  like  Mount  Zion,  it  was  "beau- 
tiful for  situation." 

The  present  very  substantial  building  of  granite  was 
erected  in  1867-8  at  a  cost  of  about  eight  thousand  dol- 
lars. School  was  opened  in  this  building  in  the  fall  of 
1 368.  The  brick  schoolhouse  was  sold  at  public  auction 
for  one  hundred  dollars.  William  McAllister  was  the 
purchaser. 


WEST  NORWALK  SCHOOL  DISTRICT 


O  records  can  be  found  of  the  organi- 
zation of  the  West  Norwalk  school. 

The  existing  records  begin  in 
1841.  At  that  time  the  district  was 
known  as  the  North  Five  Mile  River 
School  District. 

The  original  schoolhouse  had  be- 
come so  dilapidated  and  beyond  repair 
that  at  a  special  meeting  held  September  25,  1841,  it  was 
voted  to  build  a  new  school  house,  the  dimensions  to  be 
18  feet  by  22  feet  and  with  in-foot  posts.  It  was  to  be 
completed  on  or  before  the  first  of  May,  and  the  funds 
were  to  be  raised  by  a  tax  on  the  list"  of  1840.  The 
building  was  finished  in  October,  1841,  and  cost  $266.61. 
This  was  the  second  schoolhouse  built  in  the  district. 

In  1858  the  building  was  enlarged  by  an  addition 
of  eight  feet  and  received  two  coats  of  paint  on  its 
exterior  surface.  On  September  23  of  the  same  year 
it  was  voted  to  gravel  around  the  door  and  place  a  door- 
stone. 

This  building  was  in  use  until  1872,  when  it  became 
too  small  to  accommodate  the  number  of  pupils  in  at- 
tendance, and  a  new  one  was  again  necessary. 

At  a  meeting  held  January  15,  1872,  it  was  voted 
to  build  a  new  schoolhouse,  the  expense  of  which,  includ- 
ing lot,  not  to  exceed  $2,500.  Upon  the  completion  of 
this  building  the  old  schoolhouse  and  lot  were  sold  at 
auction  to  the  highest  bidder  and  realized  the  sum  of 
$245. 

This  was  the  third  schoolhouse  erected  and  the  one 
now  occupied. 

In  1877  tne  name  of  the  district  was  changed  to  the 
West  Norwalk  School  District. 

HE  first  teacher  mentioned  in  the  rec- 
ords is  Miss  Frances  A.  Selleck,  who 
in  1843  taught  the  "summer  school" 
of  five  and  one-half  months,  at  nine 
dollars  per  month.  Miss  Selleck  was 
followed  by  Andrew  Hathaway,  who 
taught  the  winter  school. 

In  1844  it  was  voted  that    Miss 

Emily  Street  teach  the  summer  school  at  nine  dollars 

per  month  and  "she  board  herself." 

839 


In  1845  Miss  Julia  Weed  was  selected  to  teach  at 
nine  dollars  per  month  for  the  "summer  school."  It  was 
voted  to  employ  a  "female  teacher"  for  the  "winter 
school,"  and  Miss  Margaret  Gilbert  was  engaged  at 
twelve  dollars  per  month. 

In  1846  Miss  Julia  Weed  engaged  at  ten  and  one- 
half  dollars  per  month. 

The  name  of  the  teacher  for  1847  is  not  recorded. 

In  1848  Miss  Julia  Weed  began  the  year  at  eleven 
dollars  per  month,  and  Deborah  Anne  Selleck  completed 
it  by  teaching  the  winter  school  at  fourteen  dollars  per 
month. 

In  1849  Miss  Sarah  C.  Waterbury  was  chosen  for 
six  months  at  eleven  dollars  per  month.  Miss  Ros- 
borough  was  employed  for  the  winter  school  at  "her 
lowest  price." 

In  1850  Miss  Julia  Weed  and  Miss  Rosborough 
divided  the  year  at  eleven  and  sixteen  dollars  per  month 
respectively. 

In  March,  1851,  the  teacher  chosen  for  the  summer 
school  was  Miss  Bunnell;  for  the  winter  school  Miss 
Sophia  C.  Blackwell,  whose  salary  was  "not  to  exceed 
sixteen  dollars  per  month." 

In  1852  the  records  name  only  the  teacher  for  the 
winter  school,  Miss  Nancy  Gregory,  at  fourteen  dollars 
per  month. 

In  185^  the  teachers  were  Miss  Emily  Street  and 
Miss  F.  A.  Selleck,  at  sixteen  dollars  per  month  each. 

In  1854  records  do  not  name  teachers. 

In  1855  Miss  F.  A.  Selleck  taught  the  summer 
school  of  "five  or  five  and  one-half  months,  as  agreeable 
to  her  wishes,"  at  seventeen  dollars  per  month.  She 
continued  to  teach  until  1857,  when  Miss  Cornelia  Bene- 
dict taught  the  summer  school.  Miss  Selleck  returned 
for  the  winter  school  of  that  year  and  taught  till  1859. 
In  1858  her  salary  was  twenty  dollars  per  month,  sub- 
ject to  reduction  provided  the  schoolhouse  is  enlarged. 

In  1859  Miss  Sarah  Keeler  taught  at  twenty-two 
dollars  per  month. 

In  1860  the  summer  school  was  taught  by  Miss 
Lydia  A.  Clock  at  eighteen  dollars  per  month.  For  the 
winter  school  brawn  as  well  as  brain  was  needed,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  person  of  Mr.  E.  B.  Smith,  at 
twenty-six  dollars  per  month. 

In  1861  the  summer  school  was  taught  by  Miss 
Phoebe  Ann  Hoagland,  at  twenty  dollars  per  month,  and 

MO 


Mr.  Smith  again  taught  the  winter  school  at  twenty-eight 
dollars  per  month. 

In  1862  Miss  Elizabeth  Carter  was  employed  for  the 
summer  school.  Mr.  Young  taught  the  winter  school  at 
twenty-four  dollars  per  month. 

At  a  special  meeting  on  December  22nd,  it  was 
voted  ''that  Mr.  Young  be  requested  to  withdraw  from 
this  meeting,"  also  voted  that  Mr.  Young  is  hereby  cen- 
sured for  violent  language  to  his  patrons  and  his  exces- 
sive punishment  in  school,  also  that  the  clerk  be  re- 
quested to  inform  Mr.  Young  of  the  resolutions  passed 
at  this  meet.'ng." 

In  1863  Mrs.  Isaac  Selleck  taught  the  summer 
school  at  eighteen  dollars  per  month,  and  Mr.  E.  B. 
Smith  completed  the  year.  At  a  special  meeting  it  was 
voted  that  "the  teacher  be  requested  not  to  use  the  Ruler 
as  an  Instrument  of  Punishment,"  which  request  was 
probably  the  result  of  the  ''excessive  punishment  in 
«chool"  of  Mr.  Smith's  predecessor. 

In  1864  Miss  Sarah  J.  Hovt  taught  at  eighteen  dol- 
lars per  month,  and  Mr.  Darrow  was  employed  for  the 
winter  school. 

In  1865  Miss  Sarah  M.  Vail,  at  eighteen  dollars,  and 
Mr.  Hoyt,  of  Stamford,  officiated. 

In  1866  Miss  Clara  A.  Street  taught  the  summer 
school  at  fifteen  dollars  and  the  winter  school  was  once 
more  put  in  charge  of  a  "female  teacher,"  Miss  Lydie 
E.  Hall,  at  twenty-four  dollars. 

In  1867  Miss  Clara  A.  Street  taught  at  eighteen  dol- 
lars per  month. 

In  1868  the  teachers  engaged  were  Miss  L.  E.  Hall, 
at  twenty  dollars,  and  Miss  Antoinette  Smith,  at  thirty 
dollars. 

In  1869  Miss  Smith  continued  to  teach. 

In  1870  the  district  began  to  engage  its  teachers  for 
the  full  school  vear  of  ten  months.  Miss  Hitchcock  was 
selected  at  a  salary  "not  to  exceed  thirty-five  dollars  per 
month." 

In  1872  Mr.  Eben  Hill,  of  Redding,  was  engaged. 
Mr.  Hill  taught  until  the  spring  of  '73,  when  forced  to 
resign  by  ill-health,  and  Mr.  Walter  Coley  succeeded 
him. 

In  1874  Miss  F.  A.  Selleck  taught. 

For  the  vears  of  1875-76,  Miss  Elizabeth  Water- 
bury;  1876-77,  Miss  Elizabeth  Waterbury;  1877-78. 
Miss  Emilie  Black  and  Miss  McDonald;  1878-79,  Miss 

Ml 


Waterburv  1879-80,  Miss  Waterbury;  1880-81,  Miss 
Nettie  Hanford ;  1881-82,  Mr.  Wilbur  E.  Winton ;  1882- 
83,  Mr.  E.  M.  Crofut;  1883-84,  Mr.  E.  M.  Crofut; 
1884-85,  Miss  Kate  Bradley ;  1885-86,  Miss  Kate  Brad- 
ley; at  fifty  dollars  per  month. 

For  tlie  years  1886-87,  Miss  Kate  Raymond;  1887- 
88,  Mis?  Harriet  Munger,  Miss  Ella  Guyer,  Miss  M. 
Grossman,  Mis.s  Julia  E.  Bigelow;  1888-89,  Miss  Julia 
E.  Bigelow;  at  forty -rive  dollars  per  month. 

For  the  years  1889-1901,  Mr.  F.  D.  Stevens,  first  at 
forty-five  dollars  per  month,  until  now  at  sixty  dollars 
per  month. 


842 


SOUTH     FIVE     MILE    RIVER 
SCHOOL        DISTRICT 

HIS  district  was  organized  in  1820,  and 
a  small  schoolhouse,  twelve  by  fifteen 
feet  in  dimensions,  with  desks  around 
the  building  in  part  and  slab  seats  for 
the  accommodation  of  twelve  scholars. 
The  teacher  received  sixteen  dollars 
per  month  and  "boarded  'round."  The 
first  schoolhouse  stood  on  the  hill  just 
east  of  what  was  known  as  the  Andrew  Bell  homestead. 
The  second  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1848  on  the  river 
bank  opposite  the  Raymond  Cemetery,  and  was  con- 
siderably larger  and  more  comfortable  in  its  appoint- 
ments. The  present  school  building  was  erected  in  1890, 
at  a  cost  (including  grounds)  of  ten  thousand  dollars. 
Some  of  the  early  teachers  were  Mary  Bell,  Walter 
Bates,  who  is  still  living,  Samuel  Richards,  John  Ferris, 
Rufus  Smith,  Frederick  Finch,  Harriet  Pennoyer.  Emily 
Street.  John  W.  McClellan  is  the  principal  of  the  school 
at  present,  with  three  teachers  of  the  primary,  inter- 
mediate and  grammar  grades. 


R 


O       U 


R 


CIVIC         PROGRESS 
COMMERCE    AND    NAVIGATION 


(By  S.  R.  Weed.) 

HE  early  history  of  the  commerce  of 
Norwalk  shows  the  same  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  daring  which  character- 
ized other  sections  of  New  England. 
With  the  whole  shore  of  the  Sound 
dotted  with  harbors  and  towns  spring- 
ing up  all  the  way  from  Newport  to 
New  York,  it  would  have  been  strange 
if  some  of  the  fruits  of  this  enterprise  had  not  fallen  to 
Norwalk.  There  came  a  race  of  hardy  navigators  who 
built  and  sailed  vessels  to  the  West  Indies  and  built  up  a 
profitable  coasting  trade  which  has  continued  until  this 
day.  The  records  are  meagre,  but  the  principal  facts 
show  a  steady  progress  forward.  The  leading  particu- 
lars here  given  are  taken  from  Selleck's  Norwalk.  The 
author  says: 

"Capt.  Richard  Raymond,  of  Saybrook,  heads  the 
roll  of  Norwalk  navigators.  He  ran  a  coasting  vessel 
(transiently)  in  and  out  of  Norwalk  harbor  in  the  seven- 
teenth century,  his  "pier"  being  in  all  probability  near 
Fort  Point.  Old  wharf  remains  have  there  been  dis- 
covered. Capt.  Josiah  Thatcher,  of  Yarmouth,  Mass., 
succeeded  Capt.  Raymond.  Both  these  captains  were 
evidently  experienced  sailors.  Thatcher  appeared  in 
Norwalk  early  in  the  eighteenth  century.  His  hill  home 
(rear  of  present  street  railway  depot,  Wall  and  Knight 
streets)  commanded  on  that  day  the  Norwalk  river,  or, 
more  properly,  creek,  and  he  was  a  prominent  progenitor. 
Capt.  James  Hurlbut,  a  ship-builder  of  Saugatuck,  is 
anciently  mentioned,  and  in  1750  the  name  of  Commo- 
dore John  Cannon  appeared.  The  keels  of  Cannon's 
vessels  ploughed  to  West  India  waters.  Nathan  Mai- 
lory  was  a  Norwalk  captain  in  1757  and  remained  in  ser- 
vice until  1800.  Capt.  David  Whitney  was  a  Norwalk 
mariner  in  about  1775,  who  did  good  service  in  the 
Revolutionary  war. 


About  1770  the  Polly  made  regular  trips  from  Nor- 
walk  to  and  from  the  Southern  Islands.  Capt.  Squire 
piloted  his  bark  hither  from  Barbadoes.  On  one  trip  in 
the  spring  of  1773  thirteen  horses  and  eleven  oxen  were 
transported  from  Norwalk  to  the  West  Indies.  The 
horses  realizing  for  their  owners  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  each  and  the  oxen  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars per  pair.  Gov.  Roberts,  of  Antigua,  laid  in,  in  1773, 
Norwalk  pork,  hams  and  beans,  and  John  Fane,  of  the 
same  place,  Norwalk  com  and  oats,  and  "Widow  Hews" 
had  10,000  shingles.  All  these  articles,  with  staves,  flour, 
butter  and  earthern-ware,  were  exported  to  the  West 
Indies  and  sugar,  molasses  and  liquor  from  thence  im- 
ported. A  little  before  the  battle  of  Lexington  was 
fought  the  Polly,  on  one  of  its  trips,  brought  as  part  of  its 
cargo,  nearly  2,000  gallons  of  molasses  and  nearly  4,000 
pounds  of  sugar.  Later  than  1770,  Esaias  Bouton  owned 
a  vessel  that  plied  between  Norwalk  and  Boston,  and 
Isaac  Wicks,  of  this  town,  was  commissioned  to  cruise 
in  the  Sound.  A  ferry  to  Long  Island  was  anon  estab- 
lished by  the  Raymonds,  and  afterwards  run  by  Ebenezer 
Phillips,  at  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Capt. 
Joseph  Warren  and  his  son,  Capt.  Samuel  B.  Warren, 
and  later  still  Capt.  Isaac  Scudder  and  Capt.  Daniel 
James,  followed  the  marine  profession.  The  Warrens 
alluded  to  employed  at  least  two  sailing  vessels  in  the 
Norwalk  and  New  York  transportation  service,  viz.,  the 
Griffin  and  the  Republican,  which  made  regular  trips — 
their  city  berth  being  adjacent  to  Catherine  and  James 
vslips.  Some  few  years  later — 1812-1815 — the  Long 
Island  Sound  commerce  was  almost  annihilated  by  the 
British  Commodore  Hardy  and  the  "Liverpool  Packet." 
Sad  work  was  made  with  Connecticut  sloops  and 
schooners.  The  North  Shore  sailors,  however,  notably 
Capt.  Daniel  Merritt  (ancestor  of  the  1896  Merritts) 
sometimes  eluded  the  enemy  and  made  their  way  through 
the  East  River  to  the  city  front.  From  1815  to  the  be- 
ginning of  local  steam  navigation  in  1824  there  were 
several  Norwalk  coasting  proprietors.  Uriah  Selleck 
was  one  of  these.  Eben'D.  Hoyt  was  a  shipmaster  at 
that  time.  In  the  summer  of  1814  he  built,  on  Uriah  Sel- 
leck's  dock,  the  sloop  Teaser.  Afterwards  the  firm 
name  was  E.  D.  Hoyt  &  Son,  the  line  consisting  of  the 
Amon,  Capt.  Jedediah  Brown;  the  Mechanic,  Capt. 
Samuel  Daskam  and  Allen  Brothwell ;  the  Citizen,  Capt. 
Samuel  Pennoyer  and  Sherman  T.  Morehouse,  and  the 

945 


Sabina,  Capt.  Fraser  Hoyt.      These  vessels  made  two 
weekly  trips  to  New  York. 

Noah  Selleck,  having  bought  out  the  Hoyts,  sailed 
from  the  Hoyt  dock  clear  to  the  bridge.  His  line  in- 
cluded the  sloops  Mary  Ann  Selleck,  Domestic  and  Sur- 
plus, as  an  extra.  At  the  same  time  Willis  J.  Merritt 
built  and  ran  the  sloop  Mary  Willis  upon  the  New  York 
and  Norwalk  route.  Noah  Selleck  associated  his 
brother  Isaac,  and  the  two  were  later  succeeded  by  the 
iatter's  son,  Capt.  Isaac  Selleck,  Jr.  Chas.  T.  Leonard 
then  became  temporary  proprietor,  and  finally  Capt. 
Isaac  Demmon  controlled  the  line.  This  was  the  end 
of  the  Norwalk  packet  history — which  end  was  tragic. 
The  last  vessel  of  the  regular  line,  the  Domestic,  was 
burned  to  the  water's  edge  off  Shippan  Point,  and  her 
commander,  Capt.  Demmon,  died  on  West  avenue,  Nor- 
walk. 

Mr.  Selleck's  history  (from  which  the  foregoing  is 
quoted),  adds  that  the  passage  by  sail  to  the  metropolis 
was  sometimes  accomplished  in  twenty-four  hours,  al- 
though there  are  Norwalk  residents  still  living  who  have 
"run"  the  trip  in  twelve  hours.  The  following  is  a  copy 
of  an  advertisement  in  The  Norwalk  Gazette  of  Nov.  4, 
1818: 

NORWALK  PACKET. 
The  New  Superior  Fast  Sailing  Sloop  Packet. 

Master,  Samuel  Daskam,  is  intended  solely  for  the 
accommodation  of  Passengers,  having  three  elegant  and 
Spacious  Cabins,  with  42  Berths. 

The  Proprietors  assure  their  friends  and  the  public 
that  no  exertions  will  be  spared  for  the  accommodation 
of  Passengers.  The  Bar  will  be  well  furnished  with  the 
best  of  Liquors,  Wine,  Porter,  etc. 

The  Sloop  leaves  Norwalk  Wednesdays  and  Satur- 
days, and  New  York  on  Mondays  and  Thursdays. 

Capt  William  H.  Ferris  was  one  of  the  early  navi- 
gators of  Norwalk.  He  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the 
sloop  Orange,  in  1833,  and  after  various  experiences  of 
the  sweet  and  bitter  sort  he  sold  out  and  bought  an  in- 
terest in  one  of  Hoyt  &  Co.'s  vessels  plying  as  a  market 
boat  between  New  York  and  Stamford.  In  one  year  he 
made  forty-four  round  trips  between  these  ports,  which 

248 


was  accounted  as  rare  good  luck.  In  1845  ne  built  the 
schooner  Josephine,  and  sailed  her  between  Albany  and 
Baltimore  for  twelve  years.  He  had  a  narrow  escape 
from  death  in  1838.  He  was  in  a  vessel  off  the  Battery 
in  New  York  harbor.  In  throwing  over  an  anchor  the 
stock  caught  in  a  heavy  lion  skin  which  Capt.  Ferris 
wore.  The  anchor  was  so  heavy  it  dragged  him  over- 
board. He  had  a  knife  and  tried  to  cut  himself  loose, 
but  failed,  and  then,  at  the  bottom  of  the  harbor,  he 
actually  unbuttoned  and  removed  his  coat.  He  soon 
reached  the  surface,  after  having  been  given  up  as  lost 
by  his  crew.  He  lived  to  a  green  old  age  and  died  in 
Norwalk  only  a  few  years  ago. 

Again  we  quote  from  Selleck's  "Norwalk,"  as  fol- 
lows: 

"The  sail  to  the  metropolis  was  an  event  in  those 
days.  At  first  the  greater  part  of  the  hull  was  berthed 
off,  as  the  passenger  lists  ran  at  times  to  fifty,  but  as  the 
Selleck  and  Merritt  era  neared  more  space  was  needed 
for  freight.  Market  Day  was  a  busy  one  at  the  bridge 
and  there  was  a  stir  when  the  wagoners  arrived.  James 
Wilkes  drove  from  New  Fairfield,  Nathan  Benedict  from 
Ridgebury,  John  Knowles  from  New  Milford,  Benedict 
Dunning  from  Brookfield,  Hull  from  Danbury,  Myron 
Dykman  from  Redding,  Samuel  Seymour  from  North 
Wilton,  Russell  Mead  from  Ridgefield,  and  Nathaniel 
Close  from  North  Salem.  The  cabin,  divided  into  two 
parts  by  sliding  doors,  was  appropriated  to  the  captain 
and  passengers.  There  were  no  'state  rooms,'  but  curtain 
berths  on  the  Orion  'five  lengths'  lined  on  both  sides  of 
both  cabins.  In  a  Hudson  river  cabin  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton, in  1787,  penned  the  opening  chapters  of  the  'Fed- 
eralist' (undoubtedly  the  most  profound  treatise  on 
government  ever  written).  No  Norwalk  sloop  cabin,  it 
is  said,  was  ever  thus  distinguished.  Nevertheless,  it 
may  be  well  believed  that  the  time  therein  spent  by  our 
merchants  and  professional  men  of  that  era  was  not  en- 
tirely misimproved  and  our  business  men  of  more  recent 
years,  such  as  George  Bishop,  Charles  Isaacs  and 
Thomas  Warner,  patronized  the  route,  the  latter  of  whom 
when  intending  to  make  the  trip  was  wont  after  bank- 
hours  to  go  to  the  dock  and  interrogate  the  captain  as 
to  'the  prospect.'  If  the  reply  came  'fair  weather  and 
fine  wind,'  the  cashier  was  sure  to  be  aboard  at  the  hour 
of  sailing  and  almost  as  certain  to  find  himself  at  James 
Slip  in  the  morning.  Upon  the  down  passage  the  boat 

947 


was  considered  well  under  way  when  Sheffield  Island 
was  cleared,  between  which  and  Sand's  Point  lay  the 
long  Sound  stretch,  the  route  leading  from  thence 
through  the  lower  sound,  East  River,  the  'Gate'  and  East 
and  West  channels  (Blackwell's  Island),  and  around  the 
Hook  to  the  finish.  Capt.  Jacob  Nash,  born  in  Ridge- 
field  in  1772,  but  a  resident  later  of  Norwalk,  was  a  mas- 
ter mariner,  and  so  was  his  son,  Capt.  Daniel  K;  Nash. 
The  latter  and  his  neighbor,  Capt.  William  H.  Ferris, 
are  well  remembered. 

"Sloop  and  schooner  passenger  traffic  gradually  fell 
off  when  steam  superseded  the  wind  as  a  motive  power. 
John  Fitch's  great  grandfather  resided  for  a  short  time 
(1652)  in  Norwalk,  but  the  great  inventor  himself 
iaunched  the  original  steam  propelled  vessel  in  the  world 
on  Collect  Pond,  Smith's  Valley,  now  Center  street, 
New  York,  some  thirty-six  years  after  Fulton's  Cler- 
mont.  Henry  Betts,  of  Norwalk,  assisted  by  two  or 
three  citizens  of  means,  constructed  a  small  engine,  and 
planting  it  in  a  modest  craft  prepared  for  'the  trial.'  The 
start  upon  the  maiden  trip  was  made  and  'Oyster  Shell 
Point'  was  reached  when  the  vessel  was  blown  up,  thus 
putting  a  period  to  Norwalk  river  steam  navigation  until 
the  appearance  in  the  harbor  in  the  spring  of  1824  of  the 
pioneer  steamboat  General  Lafayette,  which  plied  be- 
tween Norwalk  and  New  York  until  succeeded  later  in 
the  season  by  the  John  Marshall,  Capt.  Pennoyer  and 
iater  Capt.  John  Brooks,  an  enterprise  for  which  Henry 
Belden  first  president  of  the  Fairfield  County  Bank  stood 
lesponsiblc,  and  the  Marshall  made  three  trips  each  way 
every  week,  and  lay  in  Norwalk  at  Uriah  Selleck's  dock 
(near  Chas.  T.  Leonard's  present  coal  yard),  and  what- 
ever'shore  office'the  boat  had,  being  in  the  same  Selleck's 
country  store  on  the  dock.  In  the  spring  of  1829  the 
Baltimore  was  put  upon  the  route  by  Cornelius  Vander- 
bilt  as  an  opposition  boat.  This  gave  place  in  1830  and 
1831  to  the  Citizen,  which  succeeded  in  running  off  the 
John  Marshall.  Vanderbilt  at  that  time  was  called  the 
proprietor  of  Long  Island  Sound.  The  Flushing  Pecks 
now  appeared  upon  the  scene,  who,  being  associated  with 
Charles  Hoyt,  and  having  bought  the  Citizen  from  Van- 
derbilt, ran  the  same  while  the  Fairfield  was  building  by 
Lawrence  &  Sneeden  near  8th  Street,  New  York. 
When  the  Fairfield  was  completed  and  had  proven  a 
success,  the  Nimrod  was  started  and  went  into  service  in 
1836.  Previous  to  the  latter's  arrival  the  Westchester 


248 


ran  for  a  brief  period  in  opposition.     (This  boat  was  put 
upon  the  route  during  the  cholera  season,  as  so  many 
flew  the  city  at  that  time  the  fare  between  New  York 
and  Norwalk  was  raised  to  seventy-five  cents.    The  Van- 
derbilt   owner   of   the  Westchester   lowered   the  fare  to 
twelve  and  a  half  cents,  which  created  fierce  opposition 
and  aroused  an  intense  interest.     The  first  boats  came 
to  the  bridge,  and  their  arrival  was  the  signal  for  a  dis- 
charge of  canncn  from  Town  House  Hill  and  the  gather- 
ing of  multitudes  at  that  point  and  at  Bessey's  Hill.    The 
Westchester  was  withdrawn  from  the  Norwalk  route  to 
be  placed  on  the  Hudson  river  as  one  of  the  maiden  boats 
of  the  now  famous  "People's  Line."     This  line,  it  is  pos- 
sible, was  actually  born  in  Norwalk.     Alanson  P.  and 
Edward  St.  John,  Philip  Cannon  and  Gordon  Coles  were 
largely  the  inaugurators  of  the  new  enterprise.)     The 
Nimrod  being  ready,  the  two  distinguished  Sound  com- 
manders, John  Brooks  and  Curtis  Peck,  confronted  each 
other.     The  Pecks  disposed  of  the  Citizen  to  the  Hoyts, 
to  the  Norwalk  bridge,  as  a  packet  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Munson  Hoyt      Not  long  after  the  boat  was  sold 
for  excursions  and  then  for  towing  purposes  and  finally 
came  to  an  end  by  a  boiler  explosion.     The  Fairfield  and 
Nimrod  did  a  prosperous  business  and  stages  from  as  far 
north  as  Danbury  and  east  as  Bridgeport  connected  with 
both  boats. 

"At    this  juncture    of    Norwalk's    steamboat    suc- 
cess   the    Napoleon    was    put    upon    the    route    and 
the    climax    of    enthusiasm    was    reached.      This    boat 
was     denominated    'Peck's    Get-up,'     and    the    even- 
ing   of    its    arrival    at    O!d    Well    was    a    memora- 
Me    one.    At    the    close    of    the    trip    the    captain  ap- 
peared and  made  a  five  minutes'  speech,  ending  with: 
'Be  true  to  the  Napoleon  and  she  will  be  true  to  you.' 
The  multitude  was  then  invited  aboard  and  taken  up  to 
the  bridge.     The  people  still  clung  to  the  boat  and  were 
carried  back  to  the  Old  Well  (where  the  vessel  was  to 
remain  over  night)  and  walked  home  again.     A  good 
business  season   followed.      Eventually  Captains    Peck 
and  Brooks  came  to  an  agreement  that  the  boats,  one 
week  the  Fairfield  and  the  next  the  Nimrod  should  run 
through  to  Bridgeport.     This    arrangement    continued 
until  the  building  of  the    Housatonic    railroad,    when 
Capt.  Brooks  gave  up  the  Norwalk    route    altogether, 
leaving  everything  in  Capt.  Peck's  hands.     The  Croton 
was  now  put  on  the  line,  then  the  Cricket,  the  Cataline, 

249 


the  Curtis,  the  Peck  and  the  Hero.  The  St.  Nicholas,  a 
tentative,  boat,  from  time  to  time  ran  in  opposition,  but 
the  Pecks  were  masters  of  the  situation.  They  so  con- 
tinued until  the  opening  of  the  New  Haven  and  New 
York  railroad.  Lawrence  M.  Stevens,  in  1849,  Put  tne 
Norwalk  in  service,  and  in  1852  Stephen  Olmstead,  Stiles 
Curtis  and  Edward  C.  Bissell  adventured  the  Pacific, 
Capt.  Joe  Byxbee  (largely  a  freighter),  which  boat's  pas- 
sage through  the  draw  on  May  6,  1853,  was  followed  by 
the  terrible  railway  calamity  of  that  date.  The  John 
Hart,  Confidence,  George  Law,  Americus,  Netty  White, 
John  Romer,  Arrowsmith,  Pegasus,  Cape  Charles,  and 
Adelphi  (City  of  Albany)  are  names  of  Norwalk  steam 
craft  of  modern  times." 

Among  the  craft  named  by  the  Norwalk  historian 
was  the  Confidence  and  one  boat  not  named,  the  Wilson 
G.  Hunt.  Upon  both  of  these  steamers  the  present 
writer  well  remembers  having  made  trips  from  New 
York  when  a  small  boy.  What  makes  this  recollection 
interesting  is  that  a  few  years  later  these  identical  boats 
survived  the  perils  of  16,000  miles  of  navigation  upon  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans  and  reached  the  port  of  San 
Francisco.  California.  A  little  later,  in  1855  and  1856, 
the  Confidence  and  Wilson  G.  Hunt  became  alternating 
daily  boats  of  the  California  Navigation  line  between 
Sacramento  City  and  San  Francisco,  and  it  was  the  wri- 
ter's privilege  to  make  many  trips  in  these  two  boats  be- 
tween the  two  ports.  Their  hulks  decayed  at  last  on  the 
banks  of  the  Sacramento  river.  This  writer  has  also  a 
keen  recollection  of  some  of  the  other  boats  named  by  the 
historian.  Their  trips  from  New  York  to  Old  Well  in- 
cluded stops  at  Portchester,  Rocky  Neck  (Greenwich) 
and  Stamford.  Once  upon  the  old  Croton  the  writer 
remembers  his  first  encounter  with  a  hurricane.  His 
father  and  mother  were  quite  alarmed,  and  as  the  waves 
covered  the  lower  deck  and  threatened  to  fill  the  furnace 
rooms,  there  was  evidently  cause  for  anxiety.  The 
Croton  put  into  Cow  Bay  for  Ihe  night,  and  the  next 
morning  resumed  her  trip  to  Norwalk.  The  experience 
has  never  been  forgotten.  Thousands  of  old  residents 
remember  these  journeys  on  the  Sound  in  the  steamboats 
of  the  early  days.  The  Cataline  was  another  of  the 
famous  boats.  She  was  sold  in  1861  to  the  United 
States  government  as  a  transport  and  when  the  price 
paid  was  made  public  there  was  a  scandal,  and  charges 
of  fraud  and  corruption.  The  Cataline  hardly  fulfilled 

160 


the  expectations  of  the  government,  but  the  contractors 
who  bought  and  sold  her  were  satisfied.  The  Cataline 
used  to  land  at  the  foot  of  Catherine  street,  New  York, 
and  one  day  the  strain  on  one  of  the  landing  hawsers  was 
so  great  that  it  suddenly  broke  and  threw  a  dozen  per- 
sons to  the  ground.  One  of  the  boys  who  thus  narrowly 
escaped  was  the  writer  of  these  lines. 

The  statistics  of  Non-walk's  commerce  ar,e  not  suf- 
ficiently comprehensive  to  give  us  much  idea  of  its  extent 
or  importance  according  to  modern  standards,  but  we 
may  infer  that  the  principal  exports  were  agricultural 
products.     The  "Market  Day"    previously    alluded    to, 
was  an  institution  similar  to  that  which  is  witnessed  in 
hundreds    of   places   to-day.     Railroads    have   changed 
these  conditions  largely,  but  there  are  even  in  New  Eng- 
land ''market  days"  still  when  buyers  and  sellers  meet. 
The  methods  are  different,  however.     Now  the  produce 
of  farms  is  not  so  generally  sold  for  export,  but  there  are 
yet  days  when  "butter"  is  brought  to  the  centers  upon 
particular  days.     In  the  old  days  the  farmers  and  their 
wives  sent  their  products  by  wagons  to  the  landings  all 
over  Connecticut — and  many  an  old  resident  to-day  can 
recollect  of  the  back-breaking  torture    of   carrying   for 
long  distances  baskets  of  eggs  or  jars  of  butter  to  reach 
the  sloops  bound  for  New  York.    The  introduction  of 
manufactured  goods  made  some  changes  in  the  cargoes 
as  years  progressed,  but  in  those  days  as  now  the  return 
cargoes  consisted  largely  of  coal,  lumber  and  building 
hardware.     It  is  only  a  few  years  since  any  systematic 
attempt  has  been  made  to  supply  statistics  of  the  com- 
merce of  Norwalk  by  water.     The  United  States  govern- 
ment has  instructed  the  Engineer  Corps  at  New  London 
to  obtain  statistics  of  all  the  harbors  on  the  Sound  as(  a 
means  of  judging  their  commercial  importance.    The 
railroads  have  interfered  so  largely  in  the  freight  move- 
ments that  it  is  impossible  to  judge   of   the   aggregate 
trade  statistics  of  any  of  these  ports  by  the  water  route 
figures.     With  these  qualifications  it  will  be  seen  that 
Norwalk  is  bv  no  means  of  small  importance  in  the  ex- 
tent of  its  shipments  by  water.     In   order   to   show  by 
comparison  the  movements  of  Norwalk  commerce,  the 
figures  are  appended  for  five  years,  ending  June  30,  1882 
and  from  1890  and  1891 ;  also  1895  and  1896;  also  1899 
and  1900- 


COMMERCIAL  STATISTICS. 


For  the  Year  Ending  June  soth,— 

ARTICLES 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

1882 

Received: 

Coal,  tons 

76,000 

76,000 

78,000 

81,999 

90,200 

Iron,  tons 

3)  5°° 

3.45° 

3,600 

4,150 

4,400 

Lumber,  feet 

12,000,000 

12,000,000 

10,000,000 

30,000,000 

31,559.956 

Gen.  Mdse.,  tons 

38,760 

36.860 

39.100 

48,085 

53,565 

Shipped: 

Lumber,  feet 

100,000 

125,000 

140,000 

440,000 

540,000 

Gen.  Mdse.,  tons 

2,965 

2.565 

3,095 

38,984 

48,775 

Vessels     arriving 

and  departing: 

Steamers 

510 

520 

54o 

1,119 

1.459 

Sailing    Vessels 

3'° 

320 

34o 

482 

539 

Barges 

360 

365 

375 

434 

500 

Vessels  owned  in  or  hailing  from  Norwalk  and  South  Norwalk,  Conn., 
70;  tonnage,  3,008. 


1890 

1891 

1895 

1896 

Tons 

Value 

Tons 

Value 

Tons 

Value 

Tons 

Value 

Coal 
Lumber 

Gen.  Mdse. 
Building 
Materials 
Oysters  and 
Shell  Fish 

Totals 

85,000 
17,500 
(14,000,000 
feet) 

210,000 

$    340,000 
350,000 

12,600,000 

100,000 
18,500 
(16,000,000 
feet) 
250,000 

$    400,000 
390,000 

i5»ooo1ooo 

102,750 

$    385.3" 

73-790 

$    310,585 

47,775 
41,070 
9,500 

4,082,875 
303,400 
200,000 

43,500 
24,755 
4,000 

4,614,250 
109,514 
150,000 

3«.500 

13,290,000 

368,500 

15,790,000 

201,095 

4,971.587 

146,045 

5,184,349 

1890 

1891 

1895 

1896 

Vessels  Arriving 
and  Departing 

No.  of 
Round  Trips 

No.  of 
Round  Trips 

No.  of 
Round  Trips 

No.  of 
Round  Trips 

Steamers 
Sailing  Vessels 
Barges 

650 
500 
370 

1.051 
475 
600 

358 
200 
303 

605 
131 
257 

1,520 

2,126 

861 

993 

Oyster  Steamers  and  Small  Sail  Boats  are  not  included. 


Report  for  Year  1901 


Freight 

Gross    Tons 

Value 

Hard  Coal 

12,320 

$61,200 

Soft  Coal 

9,620 

28,860 

Blue  Stone 

300 

4i5°° 

Beach  Sand 

5° 

100 

Building  Materials 

360 

216 

Crushed  Stone 

760 

*      1,000 

Brick 

400 

F   i,3°° 

«3,7io 

$97,176 

Vessels 

Tonnage 

Draft 

Trips 

67  Barges 
22  Sail 

100   to  goo  tons 
30  to  250  tons 

5  to  1  1  feet 
5  to  12  feet 

67 

22 

253 


BANKING    IN     NORWALK 


(By  Eben  Hill.) 

ANKING,  according  to  the  general 
acceptation  of  the  term,  had  its  incep- 
tion in  Norwalk  with  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Fairfield  County  Bank  in 
1824.  Prior  to  that  changes  of  money 
were  effected  at  the  stores  of  dealers 
in  dealers  of  general  merchandise,  and 
loans  were  obtained  from  the  more 
provident  or  more  fortunate  individuals  in  the  commun- 
ity. 

The  store  of  the  early  days  was  a  department  store 
more  universal  in  its  ambition  than  the  great  department 
stores  of  the  present.  All  things  vendable  were  expected 
to  be  here  on  sale,,  and  the  transition  from  transactions 
purely  mercantile  to  operations  of  a  banking  character 
easily  followed  in  natural  course.  Thus  we  find  about 
1800  that  the  firm  of  Eliphalet  Lockwood  &  Son  was  to  a 
great  extent  the  bank  for  Norwalk  and  vicinity.  This 
firm  had  its  store  near  the  east  end  of  the  bridge  in  old 
Norwalk.  It  was  largely  engaged  in  the  West  India 
business — sending  out  in  its  own  vessels  live  stock, 
horses,  manufactured  lumber,  etc.,  and  importing  sugar, 
molasses  and  all  West  Indian  products.  Agents  were 
located  throughout  the  county  and  nearby  towns  in  New 
York  State  and  a  large  business  transacted.  The  farmers 
and  business  men  were  quite  generally  accommodated 
with  loans  of  money — notes  being  taken  usually  without 
security,  the  amounts  being  ordinarily  from  fifty  to  two 
hundred  dollars.  William  and  Buckingham  Lockwood 
succeeded  this  firm  and  continued  the  business  until 
1828. 

The  necessity  for  a  regularly  organized  bank  had 
ere  this  become  evident,  and  in  1824  the  Fairfield 
County  Bank  was  organized  under  the  state  law.  A 
branch  bank  was  at  the  same  time  opened  in  Danbury. 
This  branch  bank  became  the  Danbury  Bank  in  1844. 

The  first  president,  Henry  Belden,  served  twelve 
years  and  was  followed  successively  by  Clark  Belden, 
eleven  years ;  A.  E.  Beard,  five  years ;  Chas.  Isaacs,  six- 
teen years;  F.  St.  John  Lockwood,  twenty-one  years; 

864 


James  W.  Hyatt,  three  years,  and  O.  E.  Keeler,  the  pre- 
sent (1901)  incumbent,  eight  years. 

The  cashiers  have  been:  John  J.  Barnard,  E.  M. 
Morgan,  H.  T.  Morgan,  T.  Warner,  Jr.,  J.  Morehead, 
Geo.  E.  Millei,  C.  H.  Street,  L.  S.  Cole,  L.  C.  Betts  and 
L.  C.  Green. 

Among  the  directors  are  found  the  names  of  many 
of  Norwalk's  most  respected  citizens  and  successful  busi- 
ness men.  From  its  employees  several  of  the  important 
industries  of  Norwalk  have  drawn  their  managing  men. 
In  the  list  of  its  presidents  are  a  Bank  Commissioner  of 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  a  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  and  a  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  State.  "Old 
Reliable''  is  its  sobriquet. 

In  1865  its  banking  system  was  changed  to  that  of 
the  National  Banks,  and  under  that  system  the  business 
is  carried  on  at  present. 

Like  any  institution  with  an  experience  of  three- 
quarters  of  a  century,  the  bank  has  faced  panics  and 
losses,  but  always  with  a  showing  of  financial  strength 
which  confirmed  its  credit  and  sound  resources. 

The  present  capital  is  $200,000. 

Officers  and  Directors:  E.  O.  Keeler,  President; 
D.  H.  Miller,  Vice-President ;  L.  C.  Green,  Cashier; 
Directors,  E.  O.  Keeler,  D.  H.  Miller,  F.  St.  John  Lock- 
wood,  Ira  Cole,  M.  H.  Glover,  A.  J.  Meeker,  C.  F.  Tris- 
tram, L.  C.  Green. 

Next  in  order  of  succession  to  the  responsibilities 
of  caring  for  the  financial  interests  -of  the  town  is  the 
Bank  of  Norwalk.  In  the  '505  Norwalk  had  outgrown 
one  bank.  Manufacturing  interests  had  developed  and 
demands  of  a  bank-character  existed  which  at  times 
seemed  too  radical  for  the  managers  of  the  only  financial 
institution  in  town.  As  a  result  the  Bank  of  Norwalk 
was  established  in  1857. 

Ebenezer  Hill,  A.  E.  Beard,  Isaac  S.  Beers,  Jonathan 
Camp,  John  A.  Weed,  Chas.  B.  White,  Stiles  Curtis,  F. 
Belden  and  Samuel  Lynes  were  the  active  promoters. 
Hill,  White,  Curtis,  Belden,  Camp,  Weed  and  Lynes  con- 
stituted the  first  board  of  directors,  being  elected  June 
10,  1857. 

Ebenezer  Hill,  the  first  president,  served  eighteen 
years  until  his  death,  June  10,  1875.  Stiles  Curtis  fol- 
lowed as  president  seven  years,  and  in  1882  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Ebenezer  Hill,  the  son  of  the  first  president, 
who  at  this  writing  (1901)  holds  the  position. 

m 


John  A.  Weed  acted  as  cashier  pro  tem  for  two 
months,  followed  by  Chas.  G.  Rockwood  for  seven 
months,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  R.  B.  Crawford. 
Mr.  Crawford  served  for  twenty-five  years  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1883  by  the  present  cashier,  Henry  P.  Price. 

The  brown  stone  building  now  occupied  by  the  bank 
was  completed  in  1858.  Until  the  new  building  was 
ready  the  bank  occupied  a  little  wooden  store  on  the 
north  side  of  Wall  street  east  of  the  present  structure  of 
the  Norwalk  Savings  Society.  Unpainted  pine  desks 
and  counters  attested  the  economy  and  thrift  of  the 
managers.  A  small  safe  held  the  assets,  and  two  grain 
sacks  protected  the  books.  These  were  left  convenient 
for  quick  removal  in  case  of  fire. 

Our  honored  townsman,  Mr.  Frank  A.  Ferris,  is  the 
only  person  now  living  who  was  connected  with  the  new 
bank.  The  minutes  recite  that  on  motion  it  was  voted  to 
take  Mr.  Ferris  as  clerk  on  trial,  and  if  he  be  found  satis- 
factory he  was  to  be  engaged  permanently.  The  young 
clerk  evidently  gave  satisfaction,  for  he  was  subsequently 
duly  voted  the  princely  salary  of  $50  per  annum. 

The  cashier  was  rolling  in  wealth  on  $1,500  per  year, 
and  the  president  was  serving  on  a  nominal  salary.  At 
this  time  the  compensation  of  the  president  of  the  older 
Fairfield  County  Bank  was  one  cent  for  each  signature 
on  the  bank's  bills. 

Chas.  L.  Rockwell,  of  late  years  a  financial  leader 
in  Meriden,  Conn.,  and  E.  J.  Hill,  now  vice-president  of 
the  bank  and  Connecticut's  able  and  honored  U.  S.  Con- 
gressman, began  their  business  careers  as  boys  in  the 
Bank  of  Norwalk. 

Three  months  after  the  opening  of  the  bank  the 
financial  cyclone  of  1857  broke  over  the  country.  In 
September  every  bank  in  New  York  city  suspended  pay- 
ment. The  hcrror  of  the  situation  can  only  be  realized 
by  recalling  the  system  of  banking  then  generally  pre- 
vailing. Banks  were  organized  under  State  laws.  They 
issued  bills  generally  to  ninety  per  cent,  of  their  capital. 
These  bills  were  secured  by  nothing  but  the  assets  of  the 
bank,  and  their  remaining  in  circulation  depended  en- 
tirely on  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the  bank's  ability 
to  redeem  the  bill  in  gold  or  silver  on  presentation. 
Banks  kept  on  hand  coin  to  the  amount  of  twenty-five 
per  cent,  of  their  outstanding  bills  in  order  to  be  prepared 
tor  the  ordinary  demands  of  redemption,  and  in  many 
cases  they  also  arranged  to  have  some  banks  in  New 

266 


York  or  Boston  redeem  their  bills  when  presented  there. 
When  bills  were  thus  made  redeemable  in  New  York, 
the  bank  could  safely  reduce  its  own  reserve,  and  the' 
law  allowed  it  to  be  only  ten  per  cent.  Thompson's 
Bank  Note  Reporter  was  on  the  desk  of  every  cashier 
in  the  land.  Bills  of  every  bank  were  described  in  it; 
the  credit  of  every  bank  given ;  and  all  information  given 
to  guard  the  public  against  bills  of  weak  or  failing  banks. 
So  long  as  the  people  believed  they  could  get  gold  for  a 
bill,  it  would  pass  freely  from  hand  to  hand ;  but  with  the 
least  breath  of  suspicion  against  a  bank,  its  bills  would 
be  rapidlv  presented  for  redemption,  often  beyond  the 
present  ability  of  the  bank  to  pay.  The  result  was  sus- 
pension, often  failure  for  the  bank,  and  embarrassment 
for  every  holder  of  that  bank's  bills. 

Constant  care  was  necessary  to  guard  against  "bad" 
money.  As  a  result  bank  bills  would  circulate  readily 
only  where  they  were  well  known.  A  small  or  obscure 
bank  could  get  little  benefit  from  its  circulation,  for  its 
bills  would  remain  near  home  and  be  constantly  present- 
ed for  redemption.  A  high  credit  and  their  being  known 
over  a  wide  area  were  the  factors  necessary  for  the  suc- 
cessful floating  of  circulation. 

The  Bank  of  Norwalk  had  its  bills  redeemed  in  New 
York  and  Boston  and  they  passed  at  par  everywhere.  The 
methods  of  issue  is  interestingly  told  by  Mr.  F.  A.  Fer- 
ris. 

"In  those  days  the  circulation  was  generally  a  very 
important  function  and 'arrangements  were  made  with 
special  customers  to  get  out  the  bank  notes  along  lines 
where  they  would  be  likely  to  stay  out  for  some  time.  I 
well  lemember  occasions  when  notes  were  discounted 
for  stock  men  who  went  through  New  York  and  Ohio 
to  purchase  horses,  cattle,  etc.  In  order  to  be  sure  that 
the  representations  of  these  customers  were  carried  out, 
such  bank  notes  furnished  were  often  stamped  with  some 
single  letter  from  a  movable  type,  and  in  this  way  we 
couid  tell  whether  payments  had  been  widespread  and 
well  scattered  as  promised,  for  if  the  notes  came  back 
for  redemption  in  a  bunch  at  about  the  same  time,  it 
would  show  they  had  been  used  in  other  ways.  Some- 
times a  little  round  hole  made  by  a  shoemaker's  punch 
was  used  to  mark  such  bills  and  this  device  being  placed 
in  different  portions  of  the  bills  for  different  occasions 
could  be  quite  extensively  used  without  interfering  with 
the  strength  of  the  paper.  Doubtless  many  people  won- 


dered  for  what  purpose  bank  bills  were  thus  mutilated. 

Manufacturing  concerns  in  New  York  and  elsewhere 
had  arrangements  with  the  bank  to  have  its  notes  sent 
to  them  for  their  weekly  or  semi-monthly  payrolls.  I  re- 
call also  that  we  had  a  deal  with  Mr.  E.  S.  Keeler,  then 
ticket  agent  of  the  N.  Y.  &  N.  H.  R.  R.,  at  27th  St.  and 
4th  Ave..  by  which  he  paid  out  as  change,  only  the  notes 
cf  the  Bank  of  Norwalk,  sending  us  in  exchange,  by  ex- 
press at  stated  intervals,  larger  notes  of  other  banks 
which  he  had  received  from  travelers.  This  was  not  only 
of  value  to  the  bank,  but  it  also  was  a  protection  to  the 
ticket  office,  inasmuch  as  counterfeit  and  broken  bank 
bills  were  frequently  returned  to  the  agent  with  the  state- 
ment that  the  traveler  had  received  them  in  exchange  at 
his  office.  If  only  one  sort  of  bank  notes  was  given  out, 
this  was  a  bar  to  such  dishonest  claims,  and  for  a  time 
our  bank  controlled  this  method  of  circulation." 

How  different  is  this  matter  now,  when  a  National 
Bank  bill,  secured  by  government  bonds,  is  received 
without  question  or  a  thought  regarding  the  particular 
bank  that  issued  it! 

The  storm  of  1857  was  safely  weathered,  but  follow- 
ing close  came  years  of  political  unrest  which  culminated 
in  the  civil  war  of  1861.  Fort  Sumter  fell  Saturday 
April  I3th.  Sunday  night  Norwalk  first  heard  Lincoln's 
call  for  75,000  men.  Early  Monday  morning  Ebenezer 
Hill,  after  an  unsatisfactory  interview  with  the  Brigadier 
General  of  Connecticut's  militia,  hired  a  drum,  a  fife  and 
a  hall  and  started  the  enrollment  of  a  company  which 
went  to  the  front.  Capt.  James  Russell  states  that 
"Uncle  Eben"  came  to  Bridgeport  and  gave  each  man.  a 
$10  bill,— the  only  money  they  got  before  leaving  the 
state. 

The  Bank  of  Norwalk  directors  believed,  as  was  of- 
ten argued  by  its  president,  that  if  the  government  was 
not  good,  nothing  was  good,  and  from  the  first  it  threw 
all  its  influence  and  its  resources  on  the  side  of  the 
Union. 

April  iQth  the  minutes  record  an  offer  of  fifty  thous- 
and dollars  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut. 

March  4th  was  the  first  purchase  of  U.  S.  7.30  treas- 
ury notes,  and  at  short  intervals  thereafter  as  money  was 
available,  purchases  of  bonds  were  made.  It  took  cour- 
age and  patriotism  in  those  days  to  buy  even  govern- 
ment bonds. 

It  is  here  worthy  of  note  that  on  April  i  ith,  the  gov- 

268 


ernment  had  offered  five  million  notes  on  the  market  and 
only  one  million  was  subscribed. 

Early  in  1865  the  bank  became  a  National  Bank  un- 
der the  new  law. 

Soon  after  the  outbreak  of  the  war  silver  and  gold 
money  disappeared  from  circulation.  Specie  payments 
were  suspended  by  the  United  States,  December  28,  1861. 
The  famous  United  States  greenback  appeared  early  in 
1862  and  served  well  the  purpose  of  money  as  far  as  de- 
nominations of  one  dollar  or  more  were  concerned,  but 
for  small  change  resort  was  had  to  postage  stamps.  A 
gummed  postage  stamp  soon  had  a  style  of  its  own  after 
passing  from  hand  to  hand  as  a  substitute  for  money. 
The  idea  of  value,  however,  resided  in  it,  and  "it  went." 
The  government  soon  printed  postage  stamps  of  the  reg- 
ulation form,  but  upon  paper  of  about  the  size  of  a  visit- 
ing card  having  an  ornamental  border,  and  these  were 
the  renowned  "shin  plasters."  Many  issues  of  various 
designs  were  put  in  circulation  before  the  nickel  five  cent 
piece  and  silver  coins  appeared  again. 

The  war  brought  out  many  patriotic  societies,  but 
none  more  important  than  the  Association  for  the  Care  of 
Soldiers'  Families.  Prominent  in  the  Norwalk  Associa- 
tion were  the  Directors  of  the  Bank  of  Norwalk.  Its 
President  was  the  Treasurer  and  the  bank  became  head- 
quarters for  the  society.  Many  hours  were  devoted  to 
the  distribution  of  financial  help, — giving  counsel  on 
family  and  business  matters,  and  alas  often  comfort  to 
the  widow  and  the  fatherless.  Chas.  L.  Rockwell,  the 
Teller  of  the  bank,  was  an  energetic,  able  and  patriotic 
assistant  in  every  good  work  of  a  local  or  national  char- 
acter. 

On  the  night  of  September  30,  1869,  the  vault  of  the 
bank  was  blown  up  by  nitroglycerine,  and  money  and  se- 
curities amounting  to  $170,000  were  taken.  After  years 
of  pursuit  one  only  of  the  thieves'  associates  was  landed 
in  prison  and  a  portion  of  the  booty  recovered,  but  the 
principal  rascals  were  never  caught. 

The  first  note  discounted  by  the  Bank  of  Norwalk 
was  for  a  manufacturing  company,  and  its  interest  in  our 
local  factories  has  been  constant  and  liberal.  The  direc- 
tors have  been  largely  associated  with  enterprises  em- 
ploying many  skilled  men,  and  the  principal  payrolls  of 
the  town  are  drawn  from  accounts  on  deposit  here. 

The  capital,  surplus  and  profits  are  $340,000,  thus 
making  it  the  largest  National  bank  in  the  Norwalks. 

259 


It  is  a  depositary  for  the  United  States  and  also  the  State 
of  Connecticut. 

The  present  officers  and  directors  are:  E.  Hill, 
President;  K.  J.  Hill,  Vice  President;  H.  P.  Price,  Cash- 
ier; J.  P.  Treadwell,  Assistant  Cashier.  Directors,  E. 
J.  Hill,  T.  A.  Osborn,  E.  K.  Lockwood,  D.  W.  Fitch,  W. 
F.  Bishop,  J.  C.  Handle,  O.  E.  Wilson  and  J.  P.  Tread- 
well. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  South  Norwalk  was 
also  the  first  bank  in  town  to  organize  under  the  war 
measure  establishing  national  banks.  It  was  organized 
in  1864  with  $200,000  capital,  which  was  subsequently 
reduced  to  $100,000. 

A.  E.  Beard  acted  as  President  during  its  organiza- 
tion. He  was  followed  by  L.  H.  Moore  for  one  year. 
Dudley  P.  Ely  was  next  chosen  President  in  1865  and, 
with  the  exception  of  one  year,  acted  for  thirty  years 
until  his  death  in  1895.  E.  K.  Lockwood  served  as  Pres- 
'dent  one  year,  and  Russell  Frost,  succeeding  Mr.  Ely, 
was  President  six  years  and  until  the  winding  up  of  the 
bank  in  1901. 

Jonah  J.  Millard  was  the  first  cashier,  acting  twenty- 
five  years  until  his  death  in  1889.  Chas.  E.  Ferris  was 
next  cashier  until  1901.  Mr.  Ferris  had  been  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  bank  as  clerk,  bookkeeper,  teller  and  cashier 
since  1865. 

A  large  amount  of  the  stock  was  owned  by  its  ven- 
erable President,  Mr.  Ely,  and  in  a  great  measure  he 
dominated  the  affairs  and  was  responsible  for  the  policy 
of  the  bank.  Success  crowned  his  thirty  years  of  effort. 

Associated  with  the  bank  as  director  at  various  times 
were  W.  S.  Hanford,  C.  F.  Tolles,  W.  H.  Ferris,  F.  Di- 
mon,  L.  Dibble,  Tallmadge  Baker,  P.  L.  Cunningham, 
S.  G.  Ferris,  A.  J.  Crofut,  E.  Scofield,  G.  C.  Lockwood, 
R.  B.  Keeler,  John  Dingee,  E.  Sherwood,  Samuel  Clark, 
John  H.  Knapp,  E.  A.  Woodward,  A.  Solmans,  D.  F. 
Benedict,  A.  E.  Austin,  A.  Dibble,  T.  G.  Jennings,  S.  L. 
Grumman  and  R.  H.  Golden. 

On  June  22nd,  1876,  was  organized  Norwalk's 
fourth  bank, — the  Central  National. 

Thomas  H.  Morrison,  Ambrose  S.  Hurlbutt  and 
John  P.  Beatty  were  the  committee  actively  engaged  to 
obtaining  subscriptions  to  the  capital  stock,  and  with  H. 
F.  Guthrie,  G.  M.  Holmes,  P.  L.  Cunningham,  Wm.  R. 
Smith,  Chas.  Smith  and  Sherman  Morehouse  constituted 
the  first  Board  of  Directors.  Mr.  Hurlbutt  was,  on  June 

seo 


27th,  chosen  President  and  served  until  1888.  when  he 
resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  Geo.  M.  Holmes,  who 
still  is  in  office.  Thos.  H.  Morrison  was  the  first  Vice- 
President,  acting  in  that  capacity  until  his  death  which 
occurred  at  Nassau,  N.  P.,  February,  1884.  Mr.  Harri- 
son was  the  prime  mover  in  organizing  the  institution 
and  always  took  a  great  interest  in  the  bank  he  founded. 
Mr.  Holmes  succeeded  as  Vice-President  and  subse- 
quently was  chosen  President,  as  above  stated.  Mr.  E. 
L.  Boyer  is  the  present  Vice  President,  being:  elected  in 
1888.  ' 

The  cashier,  Mr.  W.  A.  Curtis,  has  served  in  that 
capacity  since  the  bank's  organization.  His  earlier 
banking  experience  was  with  the  Fairfield  County 
National  Bank,  and  subsequently  in  Chicago.  The  bank 
was  authorized  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  to 
commence  business  Aug.  29,  1876,  and  formally  opened 
its  doors  Sept.  nth.  The  present  banking  rooms,  No. 
26  Wall  St.,  Gazette  building,  have  been  occupied  from 
the  start. 

The  first  dividend  was  paid  January,  1878,  and  pay- 
ments have  continued  semi-annually  since,  amounting  in 
the  aggregate  to  $174,000  on  the  capital  of  $100,000. 

The  present  officers  are  G.  M.  Holmes,  President ; 
E.  L.  Boyer,  Vice  President;  W.  A.  Curtis,  Cashier, 
Cashier.  Associated  with  the  above  as  Directors  are  H. 
E.  Dann,  H.  M.  Kent,  J.  T.  Prowitt  and  S.  H.  Holmes. 
The  organization  of  the  City  National  Bank  of  South 
Norwalk  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  general  desire  on  the 
part  of  the  business  community  for  the  establishment  of 
?.  people's  bank,  and  the  first  steps  were  taken  at  an  in- 
formal meeting  of  citizens  held  on  January  3rd,  1882,  at 
the  office  of  Nelson  Taylor  on  Washington  "Street,  at 
which  meeting  Edwin  Adams  presided.  It  was  decided 
to  start  such  a  bank,  and  the  full  amount  of  the  proposed 
capital  stock  of  $100,000  was  quickly  raised  by  seventy- 
two  subscribers. 

The  bank  was  authorized  to  commence  business 
March  4th,  1882.  It  opened  its  doors  April  12,  1882,  at 
No.  68  Washington  Street,  near  the  corner  of  South  Main 
Street,  and  continued  to  occupy  that  location  until  April 
5th,  1898,  when  it  moved  into  its  present  new  and  com- 
modious quarters,  fitted  with  the  latest  improved  vaults, 
at  99  Washington  Street,  in  the  United  Bank  building, 
erected  jointly  with  the  South  Norwalk  Savings  Bank. 
The  original  officers  of  the  bank  were  Robert  H. 


Rowan,  President ;  John  H.  Knapp,  Vice  President,  and 
Jacob  M.  Layton,  Cashier.  Mr.  Rowan  served  as  Presi- 
dent (with  the  exception  of  about  a  year,  during  which 
time  Tallmadge  Baker  acted  as  President),  from  the  or- 
ganization of  the  bank  until  his  sudden  death  on  Septem- 
ber 2Oth,  1900. 

Mr.  Knapp  has  been  Vice  President  of  the  bank 
since  its  organization  and  still  continues  in  the  office. 
Mr.  Layton  is  still  Cashier  of  the  bank,  having  also  been 
continuously  in  office  since  the  starting  of  the  bank.  John 
H.  Ferris  was  elected  to  succeed  Mr.  Rowan  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  bank  and  is  still  in  office. 

The  original  directors  were  Robert  H.  Rowan,  John 
H.  Knapp,  Tallmadge  Baker,  Josiah  R.  Marvin,  Edwin 
Adams,  Andrew  J.  Crofut,  John  H.  Ferris,  Christian 
Swartz  and  Edwin  H.  Mathewson.  Of  these  five  still 
remain  in  office,  viz.:  John  H.  Knapp,  John  H.  Ferris, 
Josiah  R.  Marvin,  Christian  Swartz  and  E.  H.  Mathew- 
son, and  with  Henrv  Seymour,  Samuel  Grumman,  J. 
Wallace  Marvin  and  John  H.  Light  constitute  the  pres- 
ent Board  of  Directors. 

The  bank  has  always  been  conservatively  managed 
and  singularly  successful,  and  has  paid  regular  dividends 
semi-annually  ever  since  its  first  year  of  existence  of  not 
less  than  6  per  cent,  per  annum  and  has  accumulated  a 
surplus  of  $ioo,ocv),  equalling  the  capital  of  the  bank, 
and  has  besides  $25,000  of  other  undivided  profits.  Its 
aim  has  been  to  be  a  solid  and  successful  bank,  and  its 
success  is  a  matter  of  just  pride  to  those  who  have  man- 
aged its  affairs  and  a  satisfaction  to  the  public  and  its 
patrons. 

The  youngest  child  in  Norwalk's  family  of  banks 
is  the  South  Norwalk  Trust  Company.  Organized  April 
4th,  under  ?.  special  charter  of  Connecticut,  it  began  busi- 
ness April  isth,  1901.  The  capital  is  $50,000. 

This  bank  receives  deposits  subject  to  check  as  the 
ordinary  banks  of  deposit  and  discount ;  it  also  has  la 
Savings  Bank  department,  and  further  acts  as  Trustee, 
Administrator  or  Executor  of  estates.  This  last  men- 
tioned duty  is  undertaken  by  no  other  institution  in  town 
and  in  that  respect,  if  in  no  other,  the  new  company  finds 
a  welcome  in  the  business  community. 

The  President  is  R.  H.  Golden ;  Vice  President,  E. 
O.  Keeler;  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Charles  E. 
Hoyt.  The  Directors  are  F.  A.  Ferris,  Asa  B.  Wood- 
ward, Nelson  Taylor,  W.  H.  Perry,  E.  O.  Keeler,  T.  I. 


Raymond,  Theodore  S.  Lowndes,  F.  A.  Smith  and  R.  H. 
Golden.  In  this  board  is  represented  the  older  banks, 
the  legal  profession,  and  the  business  and  property  in- 
terests of  the  town. 

In  its  special  field  this  institution  should  meet  with 
abundant  success. 

The  Savings  Banks  of  Norwalk,  as  will  be  seen  by 
noticing  the  names  of  the  incorporators  and  managers, 
were  started  by  men  already  interested  in  the  banks  of 
deposit  and  discount.  They  have  been  of  great  help 
to  the  town,  and  the  thanks  of  the  community  are  due  to 
the  Directors  who  have  given  without  compensation  so 
much  of  their  time  and  care  to  the  interests  of  the  thrifty 
and  saving  people  of  Norwalk  and  vicinity. 

Being  managed  on  lines  differing  from  the  National 
Bank,  the  Savings  Banks  as  a  rule  gave  their  attention  to 
other  classes  of  investments,  although  at  times  when  the 
manufacturing  and  other  interests  have  required  it,  the 
Savings  Banks  have  liberally  discounted  paper,  not  in 
competition,  but  rather  to  the  assistance  of  the  National 
Banks. 

The  history  of  a  savings  bank,  as  a  rule,  does  not 
make  an  exciting  narrative,  particularly  when  it  is  care- 
fully managed  and  its  depositors  successful  and  thrifty. 
Norwalk's  savings  banks  have  enjoyed  every  advantage 
contributing  to  a  peaceful  financial  life.  Once  only  the 
Norwalk  Savings  Society  by  having  a  "run,"  precipitat- 
ed by  the  thoughtless  attempt  at  wit  on  the  part  of  a  local 
newspaper.  In  the  rear  of  the  Street  Railway  barn  was  a 
high  mound  which  had  furnished  the  building  sand  of 
Norwalk  for  several  years  and  was  believed  to  contain 
a  further  abundant  supply.  Without  previous  indication 
the  sand  was  exhausted  and  cobbles  only  were  found. 
The  local  paper,  departing  from  its  usual  course  of  re- 
cording the  sickness  of  Mrs.  Smith's  child  or  the  paint- 
ing of  Brown's  rear  fence,  essayed  a  "scoop"  on  the  sand- 
bank incident  and  announced  that  the  managers  of  the 
oldest  bank  in  town  were  astounded  to  discover  that  their 
reserved  deposits,  which  they  believed  to  be  good  were 
on  examination  found  to  be  worthless.  The  explanation 
that  the  statement  referred  to  a  sandbank  was  never  read 
bv  many  bank  depositors,  but  grabbing  their  books, 
they  demanded  payment  from  the  old  Norwalk  Savings 
Society.  To  the  credit  of  the  paper  it  must  be 
said  that  every  effort  was  made  by  it  to  overcome  the  ill 
effects  of  its  silly  joke.  Unauthorized  statements  and 


injudicious  news  items  have  in  other  cases  and  in  other 
papers  done  harm  to  the  business  interests  of  Norwalk, 
even  where  every  wish  of  the  publishers  was  for  the 
growth  of  the  industry  referred  to. 

The  Nonvalk  Savings  Society  was  chartered  by  the 
State  of  Connecticut  in  1849.    The  corporators  were 

Clark  Bissell,  Gould  D.  Jennings, 

Edw.  C.  Bissell,  William  K.  James, 

Thomas  B.  Butler,  Charles  Mallory, 

Chas.  C.  Betts,  William  S.  Lockwood, 

jtLli  B.  Bennett,  Stephen  Olmstead, 

Algernon  E.  Beard,  James  Reed, 

Wm.  H.  Benedict,  Stephen  Smith, 

Stiles  Curtis,  Asa  E.  Smith, 

Josiah  M.  Carter,  George  St.  John, 

Jonathan  Camp,  Jr.,  William  C.  Street, 

Thomas  C.  Hanford,  Charles  Thomas, 

Joseph  W.  Hubbell,  John  A.  Weed. 
Charles  Isaacs, 

Of  these  Chas.  C.  Betts  is  now  the  only  survivor. 
Clark  Bissell,  was  President  until  1857,  followed  by 
W.  S.  Lockwood  until  1871,  Wm.  C.  Street  until  1878, 
L.  P.  Weed  until  1880,  Wm.  B.  E.  Lockwood  until  1889, 
and  George  M.  Holmes,  the  present  incumbent. 

T.  Warner,  Jr.,  1849-1856,  Joseph  W.  Hubbell  1856- 
1870,  and  George  E.  Miller  have  held  the  offices  of  Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer. 

The  piesent  banking  rooms  in  the  United  Bank 
Building  were  opened  in  1868.  Thirty  dollars  was  the 
first  deposit,  followed  in  successive  years  by  the  mighty 
accumulation  of  $2,664,000. 

The  Fairfield  County  Savings  Bank  was  chartered  in 
1874,  the  incorporators  of  Norwalk  being: 
Wm.  K.  James,  Elbert  Curtis, 

Asa  E.  Smith,  Wm.  A.  Lockwood, 

Eli  B   Bennett,  Chas.  H.  Street, 

Joseph  W  Hubbell,  Martin  S.  Craw, 

Samuel  Lynes,  Edward  Merrill, 

Winfield  S.  Moody,  Joseph  O.  Randle, 

Thomas  Merrill,  Henry  F.  Guthrie, 

Thos.  H.  Morison,  Augustus  C.  Golding, 

Alfred  H.  Camp,  Chas.  Olmstead, 

Evert  Quintard,  Samuel  Beatty, 

Bradley  O.  Banks,  Thomas  I.  Stout, 

Edward  W.  Stewart,  of  Norwalk ; 

m 


Edward  H.  Nash,  of  Westport;  George  A.  Daven- 
port and  Samuel  Morehouse,  of  Wilton;  and  Noah  W. 
Hoyt,  of  New  Canaan. 

The  first  officers  were  William  K.  James,  President, 
Samuel  Lynes,  Vice-President  and  Charles  H.  Sweet, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

The  Bank  began  business  on  the  first  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1874.  in  the  rooms  with  the  Fairfield  County  Na- 
tional Bar.k.  The  rapidly  increasing  business  of  the 
bank  made  it  necessary  in  1890  to  find  a  home  by  itself, 
and  consequently  an  arrangement  was  entered  into  with 
The  National  Bank  of  Norwalk  to  enlarge  their  building 
and  lease  the  westerly  half  of  it.  Since  this  change  the 
assets  as  well  as  the  surplus  of  the  bank  have  more  than 
doubled.  Fiftv-three  semi-annual  dividends  have  been 
paid,  the  first  amounting  to  $580.11  and  the  last  $15,299.- 
44.  Six  per  cent,  was  paid  until  Oct.  1877,  when  the 
rate  was  reduced  to  five,  which  was  paid  for  two  years. 
Tn  Oct.  1870,  a  four  per  cent,  rate  was  made  which,  save 
for  two  exceptions  (1880  and  1884 — 4^  per  cent,  each,) 
was  paid  until  April  i,  1899;  since  then  3^  per  cent,  has 
been  paid. 

Wm.  K.  James  continued  to  serve  as  President  until 
his  death  in  September,  1877,  and  was  succeeded  by  Dr. 
Samuel  Lynes  who  was  followed  by  Winfield  S.  Moody, 
and  at  his  death  by  Judge  Asa  B.  Woodword,  the  present 
incumbent. 

Dr.  James  G.  Gregory  is  Vice-President.  Mr. 
Street  served  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer  for  six  years 
and  was  succeeded  by  Lester  S.  Cole  who  held  office  un- 
til 1888.  James  H.  Bailey  was  his  successor  and  in  1896 
died  while  in  the  service.  Victor  S.  Selleck  was  chosen 
to  succeed  him  and  is  still  in  office. 

The  bank  from  a  small  beginning  has  grown  until 
now  its  assets  are  nearly  $1,000,000.00. 

The  South  Norwalk  Savings  bank  was  originally  in- 
corporated June  23,  1860,  under  the  name  of  "The  Me- 
chanics Savings  Society,"  with  the  following  named  gen- 
tlemen as  incorporators: 

Eben  Hill,  Nathan  C.  Ely, 

Daniel  K.  Nash,  Chas.  Brown, 

L.  H.  Moore,  C.  N.  Case, 

John  A.  Weed,  Alfred  Tryon, 

Chas.  B.  White,  Chester  F.  Tolles, 

John  J  Cape,  Frank  H.  Nash, 

965 


Moses  B.  Pardee,  Burr  Knapp, 

Thomas  L.  Peck,  George  Seymour, 

David  R.  Austin,  H.  H.  Elwell, 

Fred'k  Bclden,  Wm.  H.  Benedict, 

Gould  Benedict,  Thos.  R.  Griffiths, 

Davis  Hatch,  Lorenzo  Dibble, 
John  Hutchins. 

On  June  I7th,  1869,  the  name,  by  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature, was  changed  to  "The  South  Norwalk  Savings 
Bank." 

The  first  officers,  Daniel  K.  Nash,  President,  A.  E. 
Beard,  Vice  President ;  Chester  F.  Tolles,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  and  Managers,  Eben  Hill,  John  A.  Weed, 
Thos.  L.  Peck,  Chas.  B.  White,  F.  H.  Nash,  Frederick 
Belden,  L.  Dibble,  L.  H.  Moore,  M.  B.  Pardee,  Thos.  B. 
Griffiths,  Geo.  Seymour,  H.  H.  Elwell,  Alfred  Knapp, 
Wm.  H.  Benedict  and  H.  M.  Prowitt,  were  elected  July 
18,  1860.  All  of  the  above,  both  corporators  and  officers, 
are  now  dead,  Chester  F.  Tolles  being  the  last  one  to  go. 

The  first  deposit  was  made  about  October  i.  1860. 

From  the  time  of  opening  the  bank  for  business  un- 
til about  October  I,  1868,  deposits  were  taken  at  the 
office  of  Chester  F.  Tolles  and  also  at  what  was  then  the 
Bank  of  Norwalk,  now  the  National  Bank  of  Norwalk. 
The  first  interest  to  depositors  was  paid  January  i,  1861, 
at  the  rate  of  6  per  cent,  per  annum,  and  interest  has  been 
paid  regularly  each  six  months.  The  interest  paid  July 
i.  1901,  made  the  total  amount  of  interest  paid  since  or- 
ganization $5x6,253.18. 

From  about  October  i,  1868,  to  about  May  i,  1875, 
business  was  done  in  the  drug  store  of  Thos.  L.  Peck, 
No.  14  North  Main  street,  and  about  May  i,  1871,  mov- 
ed to  the  Fairfield  Fire  Insurance  Company's  building  on 
South  Main  street.  On  the  morning  of  May  17,  1875, 
the  Fairfield  Fire  Insurance  building  was  destroyed  by 
fire  and  many  papers  and  records  of  the  bank  were  lost. 
The  bank  opened  for  business  the  next  day  in  the  Music 
Hall  block,  remaining  there  until  the  new  building  of  the 
Fairfield  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  completed,  when 
it  was  moved  back  into  its  old  quarters. 

In  March,  1877,  the  bank  was  moved  from  the  In- 
surance Company's  building  to  No.  38  Washington 
street,  where  it  continued  until  April  i2th,  1882,  when  it 
moved  into  No.  68  Washington  street  with  the  City  Na- 
tional Bank. 


On  November  26,  1895,  in  connection  with  the  City 
National  Bank,  the  property  No.  Q7  and  99  Washington 
street,  was  bought  and  the  building  known  as  the  United 
Bank  building  was  erected;  on  April  4,  1898,  moved 
into  its  pleasant  quarters  in  the  new  building,  which  are 
fitted  up  with  modern  steel  burglar  and  fire-proof  vaults 
and  all  the  conveniences  of  a  modern  bank. 

The  officers  from  the  date  of  organization  until  the 
present  time,  and  their  term  of  office  are  as  follows: 

Daniel  K.  Nash,  President,  1860-1865. 

A.  E.  Beard,  Vice  President,  1860-1864. 

C.  F.  Tolles,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  1860-1865. 
Vice  President,  1865-1866,  and  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
1866-1868. 

L.  H.  Moore,  Vice  President,  1864-1865. 

Wm.  H.  Benedict,  President,  1865-1877. 

S.  E.  Foote,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  1865-1866. 

Dudley  P.  Ely,  Vice  President,  1866-1877.  Presi- 
dent, 1877-1886. 

W.  S.  Hanford,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  1868-1877. 

Alden  Solmans,  Vice  President,  1877-1886,  and 
President  from  1886  to  the  present  time. 

John  H.  Ferris,  Vice  President,  1886. 

John  H.  Knapp,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  1877- 
1898. 

Geo.  F.  Bearse,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  since  April 
5,  1898. 

The  present  officers  are  Alden  Solmans,  President ; 
John  H.  Ferris,  Vice  President;  George  F.  Bearse,  Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer. 

The  managers  are  Alden  Solmans,  John  H.  Knapp, 
Henry  I.  Smith,  John  H.  Ferris,  Edward  Beard,  John  H. 
Light,  Josiah  R.  Marvin,  Geo.  F.  Bearse  and  Henry  bey- 
mour. 

The  total  deposits  at  the  present  time  are  $1,064,- 
056.78  and  surplus  $60,000.00. 


267 


ST.        PAUL'S        CHURCH 


HIS  is  the  second  oldest  ecclesiastical 
organization  in  Norwalk.  As  early  as 
1729  there  appears  to  have  been  de- 
sultory Episcopal  services  holden  in 
Norwalk.  Rev.  Henry  Caner  of  Fair- 
field,  was  probably  the  first  clergyman 
known  to  have  here  officiated.  His 
incumbency  dates  from  1737,  at  which 
period  the  worship  of  the  Episcopal  church  seems  to 
have  been  celebrated  in  a  small  and  temporary  frame 
structure  which  stood  on  the  extreme  northeasterly  por- 
tion of  the  present  St.  Paul's  grounds  on  Newtown  ave- 
nue. This  structure  seems  to  have  served  the  parish 
purpose  until  1/42,  when  the  building,  afterward  de- 
stroyed by  Tryon,  was  erected.  Rev.  Henry  Caner  was 
succeeded  by  his  brother  Richard,  who  remained  for  sev- 
eral years  at  the  head  of  the  parish.  In  1758  St.  Paul's 
called  Rev.  Dr.  Jeremiah  Leaning  to  the  rectorship.  Pre- 
vious to  this  date  there  had  been,  since  the  days  of  the 
two  Caners,  transient  supervision  of  the  cure,  but  now 
was  commenced  a  twenty  years  regular  and  uninterrupt- 
ed pastoral  charge  which  terminated  with  the  burning  of 
the  town,  by  the  British,  in  1779.  Dr.  Leaning,  a  learn- 
ed man,  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibblee, 
D.D.,  of  Stamford.  Dr.  Dibblee  was  rector  of  St.  John's 
church  in  Stamford  and  he  kept  Norwalk,  in  a  measure, 
under  his  ward.  In  1784  Dr.  John  Bowden,  a  scholarly 
divine,  held  the  position  of  rector  for  several  years.  A 
new  church  edifice  rose  over  the  ashes  of  the  temple 
burned  in  1779,  which  building  stood  until  1840,  when 
it  was  supplanted  by  the  well  preserved  Gothic  edifice 
of  1901.  After  Dr.  Bowden  came  Rev.  Mr.  Toole  of 
more  eastern  New  England  then  Rev.  George  Ogilvie, 
who  was  followed  by  Dr.  William  Smith,  an  earnest  and 
an  intellectual  man  who  remained  toward  four  years  in 
Norwalk. 

In  1800  the  beloved  Henry  Whitlock  was  called  to 
the  pastorate  and  some  sixteen  or  so  years  later  Rev. 
Reuben  Sherwood,  D.D.,  of  Fairfield.  Dr.  Sherwood's 
care  of  the  parish  was  preceded  by  the  temporary  shep- 
herding of  different  pastors.  He  was  an  active  nian  and 
maintained,  in  connection  with  his  ministerial  work,  a 

868 


line  school  which  drew  quite  a  patronage  from  out  of 
town.  In  1830,  Rev.  Henry  S.  Atwater  had  charge  for  a 
brief  season,  of  St.  Paul's,  and  then  came  the  saintly  Dr. 
Jackson  Kemper,  afterward  the  Bishop  of  what  was  term- 
ed the  "North  West."  James  C.  Richmond  held  the 
parish  for  a  few  months,  when  Rev.  William  Cooper 
Mead,  D.D.,  assumed  in  1836,  a  nearly  forty-four  years' 
charge.  Drs.  Kemper  and  Mead  did  efficient  duty  at 
St.  Paul's  and  left  an  impression  that  deserved  to  re- 
main. Evangelical,  conservative,  safe,  sound,  their  work 
and  their  influence  told.  After  Dr.  Mead  came  Revs.  C. 
M.  Selleck,  Howard  S.  Clopp,  S.  T.  Graham,  S.  H.  Pond 
and  I.  Morris  Coer. 

OTHER  CHURCHES. 

Swedish  Bethlehem  Congregational  Church,  East 
Norwalk. — Organized  1890  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Biddle.  Pas- 
tor, Rev.  Olof  Dahlgren.  President,  John  Lindholm. 
Secretary,  Miss  Anna  Carlson.  Treasurer,  Erik  A.  An- 
derson. 

German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.-— Organized 
1892  by  Rev.  Otto  Apitz.  Services  held  in  the  old  Con- 
gregational chapel  on  North  Main  street.  Pastor,  Rev. 
Theodor  Bauck.  Trustees,  A.  Malmo,  F.  Syring,  G. 
Geist,  H.  Zeorges,  F.  Spitze,  K.  Gehrmann,  W  Gehr- 
mann,  Gustav  E.  Friedrich. 

Rowayton  Baptist  Church. — Organized  in  1861. 
Present  membership,  85.,  Pastor,  Rev.  Frank  Brown. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Rowayton.— Organ- 
ized 1868.  Pastor,  Rev.  H.  E.  Wing.  Membership,  107. 

West  Norwalk  Methodist  Mission.— Organized 
1894.  President,  Thomas  J.  Mead.  Secretary,  John  H. 
Selleck.  Treasurer,  Henry  T.  Burtis. 

African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.— Organized 
April,  1886.  Pastor,  Rev.  Cain  P.  Cole.  Building  on 
Knight  street,  Norwalk. 

Calvary  Baptist  Church  (Colored).— Organized  Nov. 
30,  1891.  Butler  street,  Norwalk.  Pastor,  Rev.  D.  C. 
Thomas.  Membership,  30. 

Christian  Union  Association,  West  Norwalk.— Or- 
ganized March,  1866.  President,  F.  A.  Keyser.  Treas- 
urer, Edwin  Johnson.  Secretary,  F.  D.  Stevens.  Super- 
intendent of  Sunday  School,  Mrs.  F.  Griffin. 

Christian  Union   Church   Society,  Cranbury.— 
ganized  1880.     President,  W.  F.  Pillow,  Treasurer,  D. 
A.  Fillow.    Clerk,  W.  T.  Gregory. 

269 


Brookside  Chapel  Association,  Rowayton. — Presi- 
dent, Samuel  R.  Weed.  Treasurer,  Miss  Mary  J.  Ray- 
mond. Clerk,  W.  H.  Tristram. 

Broad  River  Branch,  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ,  Latter  Day  Saints. — Organized  August,  1896. 
President,  Elder  A.  E.  Stone.  Priest,  William  Hobson. 
Teacher,  Homer  Buttery.  Deacon,  Julius  Cable.  Clerk, 
Judson  Cable.  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Rufus  Buttery. 

Beth  Israel  Society. — Services  are  held  in  Ray- 
mond's Hall,  139  Washington  street.  Secretary,  D.  Gott- 
lieb. Treasurer,  T.  Slowsynsky. 

Advent  Christian  Church. — On  the  evening  of  April 
2 ist,  1877,  F.  S.  Ainsworth,  John  Bedient,  Eliza  Bedient, 
Orson  Stannard,  Elizabeth  Stannard,  William  H.  Wil- 
cox,  Fannie  Wilcox,  Alfred  Hall,  Everett  E.  Wheeler, 
Samuel  Smith,  Alfred  Z.  Broadhurst,  Mrs.  Antoinette 
Byxbee,  Miss  Nettie  Byxbee,  William  Knapp  and  Elder 
G.  L.  White  of  Bristol.  Ct.,  who  had  embraced  the  doc- 
trine of  the  soon  personal  coming  of  Christ  to  this  earth 
again,  met  in  the  kitchen  of  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stannard,  corner  of  Elizabeth  and  Day  streets,  South 
Norwalk,  to  consider  the  matter  of  organizing  a  church 
for  the  propagation  of  this  and  kindred  doctrines.  Previ- 
ous to  this  time,  meetings  had  been  held  at  irregular  in- 
tervals, in  various  places,  the  services  being  conducted 
by  itinerent  preachers.  Elder  White  was  chosen  chair- 
man and  F.  S.  Ainsworth  clerk. 

On  motion,  it  was  regularly  voted  that  the  meeting 
proceed  to  organize,  which  was  accordingly  done.  A 
confession  and  covenant  was  presented  by  F.  S.  Ains- 
worth and  duly  adopted ;  also  a  form  of  church  govern- 
ment. Orson  Stannard  was  elected  deacon,  F.  S.  Ains- 
worth secretary  and  Everett  E.  Wheeler  treasurer.  The 
old  "Military  Hall,"  in  the  Ely  block,  was  engaged  for 
meeting  purposes.  From  time  to  time  the  place  for 
holding  meetings  was  changed  until  in  the  early  part  of 
the  year  1887. 

The  matter  of  buying  a  lot  and  building  a  chapel 
was  discussed  and  subscriptions  solicited  for  this  purpose. 
Beside  the  members  of  the  church  many  friends  in  and 
out  of  town  were  among  the  subscribers.  It  being  ap- 
parent that  in  order  to  hold  property,  a  society  must  be 
formed,  the  Advent  Christian  Society,  composed  of  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  was  organized  Oct.  30,  1887,  and  a 
lot  on  the  corner  of  Van  Zandt  avenue  and  Harvey  street, 
East  Norwalk,  was  purchased  from  Mrs.  Richard  Parme- 

m 


lee,  and  the  present  chapel  was  erected  and  dedicated  in 
August,  1888. 

In  November  of  the  same  year,  Rev.  H.  H.  Tucker 
accepted  a  call  and  became  its  first  settled  pastor,  con- 
tinuing until  August,  1892.  Under  his  labors  the  church 
prospered  and  accessions  were  numerous.  In  August, 
1892,  his  relation  to  the  church  as  pastor  was  dissolved. 

In  December  of  the  same  year  the  Rev.  G.L.Teeple 
accepted  a  call  and  became  its  second  pastor,  remaining 
until  September,  1895.  About  this  time  the  Advent 
Christian  Conference  of  Connecticut  ordained  Francis  S. 
Ainsvvorth,  of  East  Norwalk,  (one  of  the  founders  of  the 
church  and  one  who  had  continued  his  association  with 
it  from  its  birth),  to  the  ministry ;  and  a  call  was  extended 
to  him  to  become  its  pastor.  Mr.  Ainswoith  accepted 
the  call  and  served  the  church  very  acceptably  for  about 
four  years.  Desiring  to  be  relieved,  as  he  was  engaged 
in  other  business,  and  making  known  his  desire  to  the 
church,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  James  W.  Davis,  was 
called  and  is  now  in  the  third  year  of  service.  The  church 
is  in  a  good  healthy  condition  with  a  membership  of  95, 
new  members  being  added  from  time  to  time. 

The  present  officers  are:  F.  S.  Ainsworth,  First  Dea- 
con. W.  C.  Byxbee,  Second  Deacon.  Mrs.  Richard 
Bland,  First  Deaconess.  Mrs.  James  Evenden,  Jr.,  Sec- 
ond Deaconess.  Stephen  W.  Velsor,  Secretary.  James 
Evenden,  Jr.,  Treasurer. 

South  Norwalk  Baptist  Church. — The  church  was 
organized  on  May  5th,  1859,  at  the  residence  of  John  L. 
Burbank,  on  South  Main  street.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burbank 
were  deeply  interested  in  their  church,  and  their  home 
was  bequeathed  by  them  for  a  Baptist  parsonage,  nearly 
forty  years  after  the  church  was    organized  within    its 
walls.    At  that  meeting  were  David  L.  Burbank,  Charles 
T.  Raymond,  Jane  Burbank,  Harriet  T.  Raymond,  John 
L.   Burbank,  Andrew  Morgan,   Hannah   M.   Burbank, 
Mrs.  Andrew  Morgan,  Maria  Roberts,  Manning  Decker, 
Anna  N.  Root,  Selleck  Roberts,  Mrs.  Taimer  Morgan, 
Anna   E.   Latin,  Andrew  J.  Crofut,   Francis   Gregory, 
Jenette  Crofut,  Catherine  Law,  L.  D.  Gowen  and  Jos- 
ephine Erickson.  This  handful  of  people  were  the  charter 
members  of  the  church.     The  Rev.  L.  D.  Gowen  was 
chosen  pastor  at  this  meeting  and  the  first  services  were 
held  in  Smith's  Hall,  which  is  now  Tilly's  carriage  fac- 
tory, on  May  22,  1859.     At  that  time  Sunday  School  was 
held  at  9  a.  m.  and  prayer  meeting  at  10. 


Preaching  services  were  then  held  at  2  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  and  at  7:30  in  the  evening.  Charles  T.  Ray- 
mond was  the  first  deacon  of  the  church.  A  council  of 
churches  was  held  in  Smith's  hall,  on  May  31,  1859,  to 
consider  the  matter  of  recognizing  the  church  as  a  sep- 
arate body  of  Christ.  The  council  met  again  on  June 
29th  of  the  same  year  and  made  the  church  a  separate 
and  recognized  organization. 

The  first  communion  was  held  on  the  3d  of  July  fol- 
lowing. The  first  members  taken  into  the  new  church 
by  baptism  were  Miss  Sarah  A.  Morgan  and  Clara 
Thompson,  who  were  received  November  14,  1859.  The 
Rev.  S.  D.  Gowen  resigned  February  27,  1861,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  F.  Fagan,  who  was  pastor 
until  ill  health  caused  him  to  resign.  A  temporary  place 
of  worship  called  the  Baptist  Tabernacle  was  completed 
shortly  before  Mr.  Pagan's  advent  as  pastor  of  the 
church.  That  building  is  now  occupied  by  William  Pod- 
more,  on  North  Main  street,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
church  edifice,  on  West  avenue. 

Following  Mr.  Fagan  came  Rev.  William  M.  Ross, 
who  was  ordained  by  the  church  council,  January  21, 
1863.  He  resigned  in  May,  1865,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Charles  G.  Swan,  who  was  ordained  October  loth 
of  that  year.  Mr.  Swan  resigned  in  October,  1867,  and 
was  followed  by  Rev.  John  Davies.  Andrew  J.  Thomp- 
son was  elected  a  deacon  of  the  church  on  July  9,  1868, 
and  is  still  in  the  office,  which  makes  him  the  oldest  offi- 
cer in  the  church. 

Rev.  Mr.  Davies  resigned  February  n,  1872.  leaving 
the  church  with  a  membership  of  204  persons.  Rev.  Mr. 
Patterson  was  pulpit  supply  for  six  months,  but  declined 
a  permanent  call.  Rev.  James  M.  Taylor  served  as  pastor 
from  February,  1873,  to  December,  1881.  During  his 
pastorate  the  matter  of  a  new  building  was  agitated.  Rev. 
J.  Wolfenden  was  pastor  of  the  church  from  April,  1882, 
to  January,  1884,  when  Rev.  A.  S.  Gumbart  became  pas- 
tor and  served  until  1885,  when  he  resigned  shortly  after 
the  new  church  was  built. 

Rev.  H.  A.  Delano  ministered  to  the  church  from 
December,  1885,  to  June  30,  1889,  and  he  also  resigned. 
Rev.  Archibald  Wheaton  had  charge  from  December  of 
the  latter  year  to  November  ist,  1892,  when  he  tendered 
his  resignation.  Rev.  R.  O.  Sherwood  entered  on  his 
duties  as  minister  in  July,  1893,  an^  continued  in  the 
capacity  until  November,  1898.  Rev.  W.  H.  Hubbard 


succeeded  Mr.  Sherwood  and  is  still  pastor,  having  ac- 
complished much  in  the  upbuilding  and  strengthening  of 
the  church  since  he  came  to  South  Norwalk. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  320  and 
the  organization  is  free  from  debt. 

Hungarian  Reformed  Church. — The  Hungarian  Re- 
formed Church  was  organized  in  April,  1893,  with  be- 
tween seventy  and  eighty  members,  who  met  in  the 
Methodist  Church  until,  in  1896,  Rev.  Gabriel  Dokus 
was  appointed  pastor  by  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 
Under  his  direction  a  church  building  was  erected  with 
a  school  room  in  which  the  children  of  the  parish  are 
gathered  for  instruction,  not  only  on  Sundays,  but  on 
week  days  as  well  during  the  summer.  A  parsonage  was 
erected  recently  at  a  cost  of  $1,400.  There  are  now  about 
130  members  of  the  church.  Services  are  held  three 
Sundays  in  a  month,  the  pastor  being  called  elsewhere 
for  mission  work  on  the  remaining  Sunday.  The  hours 
of  service  are  at  11:30  and  4:30  on  Sunday  and  7:30  on 
Thursday  evening  of  each  week.  The  church  officers 
are:  Pastor,  Rev.  Gabriel  Dokus;  treasurer,  Joseph 
Soltess;  secretary,  Julius  Gonce. 

Hungarian  Congregational  Church. — In  1889  a  little 
Hungarian  girl  was  killed  by  a  train  at  Springwood.  The 
grief  of  her  mother  brought  to  Mr.  H.  O.  Bailey  a  desire 
for  some  means  of  consoling  her  in  her  own  language; 
and  with  it  a  realization  that  the  Hungarian  population 
of  the  town  had  no  religious  services,  while  many  of 
these  people  could  not  understand  English.  Mr.  Bailey 
asked  Miss  Platt,  president  of  the  Ladies'  Missionary 
Society  of  the  South  Norwalk  Congregational  Church, 
what  could  be  done  for  these  people;  and,  at  her  request, 
Miss  Lucy  Green  wrote  to  Dr.  H.  A.  Schauffler,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  Superintendent  of  Missions  among  the 
foreign  population  in  this  country,  asking  if  a  Bible 
reader  who  spoke  Hungarian  could  be  sent  to  Norwalk. 
Miss  Platt  also  asked  the  Secretary  of  the  Congregational 
Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut  if  he  had  a  missionary 
to  send  to  these  Hungarians,  and  received  the  answer 
that  there  was  not  one  Hungarian  missionary  in  Connec- 
ticut though  there  were  10,000  people  of  that  nationality, 
and  he  knew  of  but  one  in  the  United  States. 

Dr.  Schauffler's  answer  was  the  same,  but  he  sug- 
gested that  a  young  Slav  had  been  converted  in  Brad- 
dock,  Pennsylvania,  by  the  Pittsburg  missionary  referred 
to  as  the  solitary  Hungarian  missionary,  and  suggested 

873 


that  thi*  man,  John  Petro,  who  spoke  Hungarian,  might 
be  useful  in  Norwalk.  Through  the  efforts  of  the  Ladies' 
Missionary  Society,  Mr, H.O.  Bailey  and  Dr.  M.  Clifford 
Pardee,  $80  was  raised.  The  Hungarian  people  became 
interested,  too,  in  the  movement,  and  they  raised  $173,  to 
add  to  the  fund,  which  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Bailey  as  president  of  the  committee  who  had  the  matter 
in  charge.  In  1892,  Rev.  Gerald  H.  Beard  became  pastor 
of  the  South  Norwalk  Congregational  Church  and  he 
v/armly  took  up  the  project  of  the  Hungarian  Mission, 
with  the  result  that  Mr.  Petro  was  engaged  as  Bible 
reader  to  the  Hungarians  in  January,  1893. 

Unfortunately,  Mr.  Petro  was  a  Slav  and  his  knowl- 
edge of  the  Hungarian  language  was  limited.  He, 
therefore,  failed  to  please  many  of  his  hearers,  and  a 
portion  of  the  original  congregation  withdrew  and 
formed  a  mission  of  the  American  Reformed  Church. 

Mr.  Petro  worked  faithfully  under  great  difficulties 
for  a  year  and  a  half,  securing  twelve  converts.  He  also 
conducted  Bible  readings  in  Bridgeport  among  the  Hun- 
garians ;  and  among  the  converts  there  was  Bela  Basso, 
the  present  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Hungarian 
Mission,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Petro  as  Bible  reader  in 
1894.  In  March,  1898,  a  church  organization  was  ef- 
fected with  34  members ;  and  in  the  following  September 
Mr.  Basso  was  sent  to  Oberlin  to  study  for  the  ministry. 
On  his  return  in  the  spring  of  1901  he  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  little  church.  During  his  absence  the  con- 
gregation was  kept  together  by  Mr.  Emery  Kardos  as 
Bible  reader.  A  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor  and  a  Sunday  School  have  been  organized,  the 
latter  having  grown  from  a  membership  of  21  to  52 
within  four  months.  The  church  has  a  membership  of 
34  at  the  present  time  and  is  partly  supported  by  the 
South  Norwalk  Congregational  Church  and  the  Connec- 
ticut Home  Missionary  Society. 

HISTORY  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  was 
organized  August  3ist,  1837.  Delegates  representing 
the  Weston,  Danbury,  Stamford,  Stratfield  and  Redding 
Baptist  Churches  assembled  in  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  Norwalk  and  effected  the  organization.  Many 
of  th'.>  charter  members  belonged  to  the  Wilton  Church, 
which  church  disbanded  at  this  time.  Rev.  William  H. 

274 


Card  was  called  to  preside  as  pastor  but  at  this  state 
Kev.  Wm.  Bowen  supplied  the  pulpit. 

Andrew  Turney  and  Noah  Weed  were  elected  dea- 
cons:  Alonzo  C.  Arnold  was  elected  church  clerk. 

The  charter  members  were:  Noah  Weed,  William 
VVakeman,  Andrew  Turney,  Josiah  Raymond,  Alonzo  C 
Arnold,  Abbey  Fitch,  Betsey  Gaylof,  Elizabeth  Mills 
Sarah  Stevens,  Catherine  Fitch,  Charity  Smallhorn, 
Mary  Knapp,  Emily  Knapp,  Hannah  Knapp,  Julia 
Burchard. 

For  a  time  the  people  worshipped  in  the  Academy 
building,  which  stood  about  fifty  feet  north  of  the  present 
Band  Stand,  in  the  centre  of  the  Green.  This  building 
was  moved  to  the  west  end  of  Lewis  street  and  is  now 
occupied  as  a  dwelling  house.  Soon  the  church  moved 
to  the  elegant  and  spacious  building  on  Mill  Hill  known 
as  the  Town  House. 

Owing  to  the  deep-seated  prejudice  against  all  Bap- 
tists, a  prejudice  which  at  that  time  was  quite  general 
throughout  New  England,  the  church  experienced  no 
little  difficulty  in  securing  a  lot  upon  which  to  build  a 
church  edifice.     It  was  only  by  strategy,  and  through  a 
third  party,  who  transferred  it  to  the  church,  that  a  plot 
of  ground  was  finally  secured,  where  the  present  build- 
ing now  stands.    This  building  was  erected  in  1839  and 
dedicated  in  March,   1840.     Immediately  following  the 
dedication,  a  revival  began,  which  resulted  in  numerous 
accessions  to  the  membership.    In  1870  the  building  was 
renovated    and    refurnished    throughout,    at  a  cost  of 
$1,400.00.    At  the  time  this  church  was  organized  there 
were  no  public  conveyances.     The  members  residing  in 
Winnipauk  chartered  a  carry-all,  as  a  private  conveyance, 
which  carried  a  full  load  to  and  from  church  services. 
Mr.  Charles  T.  Raymond's  family  were  regular  in  at- 
tendance though  they  were  obliged  to  walk  from  Flax 
Hill.    Mr.  Moultons,  of  Saugatuck  (now  Westport),  also 
walked  to  church.     Susan  Motilton  married  McMaster, 
the  founder  of  McMaster's  University,  of  Toronto,  and 
of  the  Motilton  Female  Seminary.     Another  daughter 
married    the    Rev.   James    Scott,   of   Stratfield    Baptist 
Church.     Cottage  prayer  meetings  were  held  in  houses 
all  over  the  town,  South  Norwalk  members  walking  to 
the  services,  up  a  shore-path,  by  way  of  Pine  Island  and 
Water  street.    David  Burbank's  family  came  all  the  way 
from  Belden's  Point  to  the  meetings. 

Deacon  Weed,  of  New  Canaan,  was  a  regular  at- 


275 


tcndant  at  all  services,  rarely  missing  the  monthly  cov- 
enant meeting,  held  on  Saturday  afternoons.  A  pecu- 
liarity of  the  deacon's  was  that  he  wore  his  hair  combed 
forward  over  the  top  of  his  head,  braided  and  tied  with 
a  shoe-string. 

The  church  seemed  to  have  reached  the  zenith  of 
prosperity  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  L.  D.  Gowan, 
from  1856  to  1859.  The  pastor's  salary  at  this  period 
was  $500.00  and  the  sexton's  $25.00,  and  it  was  a  difficult 
task  to  raise,  what  seemed  at  that  time,  to  be  a  great 
amount  of  money. 

About  this  time  H.  M.  Prowitt,  the  choir  master, 
introduced  into  the  service  a  "melodien,"  which  created  a 
good  deal  of  gossip,  many  members  disapproving  of  such 
worldliness.  Heretofore  a  tuning  fork  and  bass  viol  had 
been  the  only  instruments.  The  chorus  choir  was  com- 
posed of  volunteers,  who  furnished  their  own  music  and 
books. 

The  Sunday  School  flourished  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  under  the  efficient  superintendency 
of  James  L.  Ambler.  Miss  M.  A.  Hyatt  conducted  the 
primary  department  for  about  thirty  years. 

Rev.  J.  Ellis,  of  New  York  city,  joined  the  church 
in  1842,  and  during  J.  L.  Woolsey's  pastorate  frequently 
assisted  in  the  services.  On  one  occasion  he  thus  com- 
mented on  Rev.  Lindsey  Woolsey's  sermon:  "You  have 
all  heard  the  sermon,  if  sermon  it  may  be  called.  For  my 
part,  I  call  it  'a  reasonable  service,'  a  sort  of  Linsey 
Woolsey  address." 

The  following  named  pastors  have  from  1838  to 
1902  served  this  church: 

Rev.  William  H.  Card,  1838  to  '39. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Woolsey,  1840  to  '47. 

Rev.  J.  Chaflin,  1847  to  '50. 

Rev.  W.  Broughton,  1850  to  '51. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Woolsey,  1851  to  '53. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Wyatt,  1853  to  '56. 

Rev.  L.  D.  Gowa,n  1856  to  '59. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Lasher,  1859  to  '61. 

Rev.  O.  W.  Gates,  1861  to  '73. 

Rev.  E.  D.  Bentley,  1873  to  '82. 

Rev.  W.  E.  Wright,  January  to  October,  1882. 

Rev.  R.  McGonegal,  1882  to  '86. 

Rev.  C.  E.  Torrey,  1886  to  '90. 

Rev.  F.  E.  Robbins,  1891  to  '98. 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  Talmage  Van  Doren,  1899  to  the  pres- 

876 


ent  time.  During  this  period,  although  the  mother 
church  has  given  of  her  membership  to  form  four  Baptist 
churches,  she  has  grown  from  15  to  280  members.  The 
pastorates  of  Woolsey,  Gates,  Bentley,  Torrey  and  Rob- 
bins  were  especially  marked  by  the  addition  to  the 
church  of  many  converts.  At  this  date  (December,  1901), 
the  church  is  growing  in  membership  and  in  influence. 
New  furnaces  have  been  put  in  the  building,  and  the  ses- 
sion and  class  rooms  have  been  redecorated  and  re- 
furnished. The  yearly  expense  of  conducting  the 
church  ($2,500),  is  promptly  provided  for,  and  the  ser- 
vices are  largely  attended  and  of  deep  religious  interest. 
The  Pastor's  Bible  Class  numbers  85  adult  members. 
The  "Circle  of  Light,"  a  band  of  consecrated  Christians, 
led  by  the  pastor,  numbers  173  members.  With  Sunday 
School  and  all  other  church  adjuncts  in  a  flourishing 
condition,  and  with  frequent  additions  to  the  member- 
ship by  baptism,  the  church  has  every  reason  to  thank 
God  for  all  the  wav  that  He  has  led  His  people. 


OYSTER     INDUSTRY 

MONO  the  many  industries  of  the  busy 
thriving  town  of  Norwalk  that  have 
made  marvellous  strides  in  growth  and 
development  in  the  last  half  century, 
there  is  not  one  that  so  excites  our 
admiration  and  astonishment  as  the 
wonderful  growth  of  the  oyster  indus- 
try. And  this  interest  that  is  rapidly 
extending  over  all  the  waters  of  the  State  promises  to 
put  Connecticut  at  the  fore-front  of  the  oyster  producing 
states  of  the  Union  in  the  near  future ;  and  the  oyster 
planters  of  Norwalk  can  with  pardonable  pride  point  to 
the  fact  that  the  system  that  has  produced  such  astound- 
ing results  originated  in  Norwalk.  Long  years  ago,  be- 
fore the  white  man  came  to  these  shores,  while  the  race 
was  still  young,  the  red  man  gathered  in  his  summer  vil- 
lages along  the  shores  of  Norwalk.  The  smoke  of  his 
wigwam  might  have  been  seen  on  the  banks  of  the 
Rowalton  River  at  Wilson's  Cove,  Village  Creek  and 
Gregory's  Point;  and  the  shell  mounds  at  these  places 
disclosed  the  fact  that  oysters  and  clams  entered  largely 
in  the  menu  of  those  days. 

When  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  the  white 
man  appeared,  he  was  not  slow  to  learn  from  his  savage 
brother  the  value  of  the  oysters  and  clams  that  grew  near 
the  shores  of  our  town ;  and  not  only  on  the  shores  of  the 
main  land,  but  out  among  the  romantic  and  picturesque 
islands  that  like  jeweled  settings  clot  the  water  front  of 
Norwalk  The  waters  teemed  with  its  wealth  of  shell- 
fish ;  and  it  was  here  that  the  early  settlers  found  a  very 
large  part  of  their  food  supply. 

As  the  years  passed  on  and  the  population  increased 
the  natural  beds  failed  to  respond  to  the  increased  de- 
mand, so  that  less  than  fifty  years  ago  oystermen  began 
to  experiment  in  raising  large  oysters  from  the  seed 
taken  from  the  natural  beds;  and  planted  it  on  private 
grounds,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  meeting  the 
changed  conditions  with  wise  laws ;  so  that  all  the  inside 
lands  that  could  be  lawfully  taken  up  were  speedily 
brought  under  cultivation  ;  and  the  business  prospered  to 
that  degree  that  the  Norwalk  oysters  were  famed  for 
their  superior  qualities  far  and  wide.  But  the  enterpris- 
ing and  far  seeing  oyster-planters  of  Norwalk  could  not 

278 


be  confined  to  the  narrow  limits  of  the  inside  oyster 
lands,  so  they  began  to  look  about  for  new  fields  to  con- 
quer. In  1870  a  few  planters  went  out  on  Long  Island 
Sound  off  Norwalk  and  took  up  land  and  began  plant- 
ing. These  were  the  pioneers  in  artificial  propagation  of 
oyster  spawn.  They  planted  the  stool  the  oysters  ad- 
hered, they  caught  a  good  set  and  the  venture  looked 
promising  for  a  while,  but  the  starfish  came  on  in  great 
numbers  and  destroyed  all  the  beds,  but  they  persevered, 
overcoming  every  obstacle,  surmounting  every  difficulty, 
they  finally  climbed  to  success ;  and  the  results  that  Nor- 
walk with  her  fine  fleet  of  oyster  steamers,  her  wharves 
and  oyster  shipping  houses  with  thousands  of  acres  of 
land  under  water  in  cultivation,  give  but  faint  conception 
of  what  has  been  achieved  in  the  last  fifty  years. 

It  was  a  citizen  of  Norwalk  that  fitted  out  the  first 
steamboat,  the  forerunenr  of  the  magnificent  fleet  of 
more  than  one  hundred  boats  that  are  owned  in  the 
State  to-day.  Some  of  the  very  first  oysters,  if  not  the 
first,  were  shipped  to  England,  laying  the  foundation  for 
the  splendid  export  trade  of  to-day,  were  raised  in 
Norwalk. 

The  Norwalk  oyster  has  shown  great  power  of 
adaptation;  it  has  been  transported  across  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  planted  in  the  quiet  Pacific,  and  never 
seemed  to  feel  the  change;  it  has  been  carried  over  to 
England,  planted  in  the  muddy  Thames  and  in  the  bays 
of  the  English  Coast,  and  was  just  as  happy  as  when  in 
its  own  native  waters. 

Norwalk  may  well  be  proud  of  the  men  who  by  en- 
terprise and  push  have  given  the  town  the  prominence 
and  leadership  in  the  development  of  this  great  industry. 

— CHAS.  W.  BELL. 


279 


THE 

I    N 


LEGAL 
OLD 


PROFESSION 
N    O    R    W  A    L   K 


OR  WALK  in  the  past  has  been  the 
home  of  many  distinguished  jurists. 
Many  more,  natives  or  descended  from 
ancestors  residing  in  the  ancient  town 
of  Norwalk,  have  achieved  professional 
eminence  in  other  parts  of  the  State 
and  nation,  who  cannot  be  sketched  or 
even  named  here.  Among  Norwalk 
lawvers,  not  now  living,  were  the  following: 

THOMAS  FITCH,  a  native  of  Norwalk,  grandson 
of  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  the  same  name,  was 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1721.  He  was  educated 
for  the  ministry,  but  turned  his  attention  to  the  law  and 
was  said  by  the  first  President  Dwight  to  be  "probably 
the  most  learned  lawyer  who  had  ever  been  an  inhabi- 
tant of  the  Colony."  He  was  chosen  one  of  the  "Assis- 
tants" of  the  Colony  yearly  from  1734  to  1846;  was 
Deputy  Governor  from  1750  to  1754,  and  Governor  from 
1754  to  1766;  and  for  four  years  was  chief  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Courts.  In  1742  he  was  appointed,  with  Roger 
Wolcott  and  Jonathan  Trumbull,  both  afterwards  Gov- 
ernors of  the  Colony,  and  John  Bulkley,  afterwards  a 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  to  revise  the  Statutes,  and 
had  "the  principal  efficiency"  in  making  the  revision  of 

1750. 

He  was  the  author  of  a  protest,  written  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  General  Court  in  1764  and  presented  to  the 
British  governmetn,  against  the  power  of  parliament  to 
tax  the  people  of  the  Colonies  without  their  consent  by 
representation  therein,  stating  with  great  clearness  and 
force  the  grounds  on  which  the  independence  of  the  Col- 
onies was  afterwards  achieved ;  and  of  other  noted  State 
papers. 

His  home  was  on  East  avenue,  the  present  (1901) 
residence  of  Miss  Sarah  Fitch.  He  died  July  18,  1774. 
His  son,  Col.  Thomas  Fitch,  was  distinguished  as  a 
soldier  and  in  the  Civil  service  of  the  Colonv. 

TAYLOR  SHERMAN,  son  of  Judge  Daniel  Sher- 
m.m,  was  born  in  Woodbury,  Conn.,  in  1758.  He  mar- 
ried in  1787  Elizabeth  Stoddard  of  Woodbury.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  removed  to  Norwalk,  where  he 

180 


spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  the  practice  of  the  law 
He  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State 
m  1794,  1795  and  1796,  and  was  Judge  of  Probate  for  the 
District  of  Norwalk  from  the  creation  of  the  District  in 
1802  until  his  death.  He  was  Collector  of  Internal  Rev- 
enue for  the  Second  District  of  Connecticut,  under  ap- 
pointment from  President  Madison.  He  was  appointed 
Agent  to  survey  the  land  in  the  Western  Reserve,  con- 
sisting of  a  half  million  acres,  granted  by  the  State  of 
Connecticut  to  the  sufferers  by  the  British  devastations 
in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  acquired  a  considerable 
tract  of  this  land,  in  Sherman  township,  Huron  County, 
Ohio.  He  was  a  public  spirited  citizen,  taking  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  town  and  community.  His 
home  was  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and  Cross 
streets  in  the  present  city  of  Norwalk,  in  the  house  now 
standing  He  died  May  I5th,  1815. 

CHARLES  ROBERT  SHERMAN,  a  son  of  Tay- 
lor and  Elizabeth  (Stoddard)  Sherman,  was  born  in  Nor- 
walk, September  26th,  1788.  He  studied  law  in  the  of- 
fices of  his  father  and  of  Judge  Asa  Chapman,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1810.  On  May  8th  of  the  same 
year  he  married  Mary  Hoyt  of  Norwalk.  In  1811  he  re- 
moved, with  his  wife  and  an  infant  son  (Charles  Taylor 
Sherman,  afterwards  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court) 
to  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  he  settled  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  In  the  war  of- 1812  he  was  Major  of  an  Ohio 
regiment.  At  the  age  of  35  he  was  appointed  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio,  which  office  he  held  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  June  24,  1829.  Among  a  large 
family  of  other  children,  born  after  his  removal  to  Ohio, 
were  Gen.  William  Tecumseh  Sherman  of  the  U.  S. 
Army  and  Hon.  John  Sherman,  for  many  years  represen- 
tative and  senator  in  Congress,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
and  Secretary  of  State. 

CLARK  BJSSELL  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Conn , 
September  7,  1782;  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1806; 
studied  law  and  settled  in  Norwalk.  He  married  Sally 
Sherwood,  daughter  of  Hon.  Samuel  Burr  Sherwood  of 
Fairfield.  He  was  several  years  Judge  of  Probate  for 
the  District  of  Norwalk,  succeeding  Judge  Taylor  Sher- 
man ;  member  of  the  Connecticut  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  1829,  1841  and  1850,  of  the  State  Senate  from  the 
old  1 2th  District  in  1842  and  1843;  Governor  of  the 


881 


State  in  1847,  an<^  1848;  and  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Presidential  Electors  in  Connecticut  in  1848.  He  was  a 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  and  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Errors  from  1829  to  1839,  when  he  resigned.  In  1847  ne 
was  given  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  by  Yale  Col- 
lege, and  was  in  the  same  year  made  Kent  professor  of 
law  in  that  institution,  which  position  he  held  until  1855. 
For  several  years  he  was  President  of  the  Fairfield 
County  Bank,  succeeding  Henry  Belden.  He  died  Sep- 
tember 1 5th,  1875.  He  built  and  occupied  the  house  at 
the  corner  of  East  Wall  and  Park  Streets,  and  his  office 
was  a  small  building  at  the  Southwest  corner  of  the 
homestead.  He  was  a  lawyer  of  great  ability,  a  wise  and 
safe  counsellor,  and  had  a  large  practice.  Of  his  child- 
ren, Rev.  Samuel  Burr  Sherwood  Bissell,  Edward  C.  Bis- 
sell,  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Belts  and  Mrs.  Orris  S.  Ferry 
survived  him ;  George  A.  Bissell,  also  a  lawyer,  died 
shortly  before  him,  and  Arthur  H.  died  in  childhood. 

THADDEUS  BETTS,  a  native  of  Norwalk,  son  of 
William  Maltby  and  Lucretia  (Gregory)  Betts,  was  born 
February  4,  1789;  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1807; 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  always  resided  in  Norwalk,  on 
the  easterly  side  of  "The  Green."  He  married  Antoinette 
Cannon  of  Norwalk.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Connecti- 
cut House  of  Representatives  in  1815  and  1830;  of  the 
State  Senate  in  1828  and  183  r  ;  and  Lieutenant  Governor 
of  the  State  in  1832  and  1834.  He  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate  for  the  term  beginning  March  4th, 
1839,  and  died  in  Washington  April  8th,  1840.  He  was 
a  man  of  great  talent,  ranking  among  the  most  powerful 
advocates  of  the  Connecticut  bar,  and  his  early  death  cut 
short  what  promised  to  be  a  conspicuous  and  influential 
career  in  the  public  service.  He  was  the  father  of  Fred- 
erick T.  and  Charles  C.  Betts,  both  now  living,  and  John 
Maltby  Betts,  who  died  unmarried  in  1868. 

THOMAS  BELDEN  BUTLER,  son  of  Frederick 
and  Mary  (Belden)  Butler,  was  born  at  Wethersfield, 
August  22d,  1806.  He  was  educated  as  a  physician, 
graduating  at  the  Medical  Department  of  Yale  College 
in  1828.  He  settled  and  practiced  medicine  for  several 
years  at  Norwalk.  He  soon  determined  to  adopt  the 
legal  profession,  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1837.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  House  of 
Representatives  in  1832,  1833,  1837,  1843  an^  1846;  of 


the  State  Senate  in  1838,  1839,  1848,  1852  and  1853,  and 
Representative  in  Congress  from  1849  to  ^S1-  He  was 
Judge  of  Probate  from  1848  to  1849,  and  States  Attorney 
for  several  years.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court;  in  1861  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Errors,  and  in  1870  Chief  Justice  of  that  Court, 
which  office  he  resigned  a  few  days  before  his  death.  He 
married  Mary  Phillips  Crosby  of  Norwalk,  but  had  no 
children.  His  home  was  on  West  Avenue,  the  house 
now  occupied  by  the  Central  Club.  He  died  June  8th, 


Judge  Butler  was  fond  of  scientific  studies,  especially 
of  meterology,  on  which  he  published  two  books,  entitled 
"Philosophy  of  the  Weather,"  and  'The  Atmospheric 
System  as  God  Made  It."  He  had  much  mechanical 
skill,  and  made  several  ingenious  inventions  ;  one  a  com- 
plicated machine  for  crossing  the  wool  in  felt  cloth,  was 
successfully  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  felt  goods. 

He  was  an  enthusiastic  farmer.  He  nad  an  acute 
and  discriminating  mind,  was  ambitious  of  distinction  as 
a  Judge  and  his  judicial  opinions  were  carefully  and 
thoroughly  prepared.  He  was  especially  distinguished 
among  legal  writers  for  his  concise  and  exact  definition 
of  legal  terms. 

THOMAS  ROBINSON,  a  member  of  the  Fairfield 
County  Bar,  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1828  ;  set- 
tled in  the  practice  of  law,at  Fairfield,  and  married  Eliza 
P.  Dimon  of  that  place,  a  sister  of  the  late  Frederick 
Dimon  of  Norwalk.  He  removed  to  Norwalk  in  1847, 
built  and  occupied  the  house  on  West  Avenue,  now  the 
homestead  of  Oliver  E.  Wilson,  and  resided  there  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1853.  He  was  a  lawyer  of 
ability  and  prominence  ;  was  for  seven  years  clerk  of  the 
Superior  Court  ;  was  representative  from  Fairfield  in  the 
Connecticut  legislature  in  1843.  and  1846,  and  from  Nor- 
walk in  1852.  He  left  no  children. 

JOSIAH  MASON  CARTER  was  born  in  New 
Canaan,  June  I3th,  1813;  graduated  with  distinguished 
honor  at  Yale  College  in  1836,  and  was  admitted  to  tl 
bar  in  1839.  He  began  the  practice  of  law  in  New  York, 
but  removed  to  Norwalk  in  1847  and  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Thomas  B.  Butler,  which  continued  until  Mr 
Butler  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  m 
18^5  He  was  a  representative  from  ISiorwalk  i 


General  Assembly  in  1857,  1861  and  1862,  and  in  the  last 
year  was  Speaker  of  the  House.  He  was  the  nominee 
of  his  party  for  Lieutenant  Governor  in  1856,  but  the 
ticket  was  not  successful.  He  was  State's  Attorney  for 
the  County  of  Fairfield  from  1862  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  March  21,  1868. 

He  married  Julia  Ayres  of  New  Canaan,  and  built 
and  occupied  until  his  decease  the  house  now  the  home- 
stead of  Levi  C.  Hanford.  One  of  his  daughters,  now 
deceased,  was  the  mother  of  Hubert  E.  Bishop  of  Nor- 
walk,  and  another  married  Prof.  Alexander  Johnston,  the 
eminent  political  writer  and  historian.  Mr.  Carter  was 
a  thorough,  exact  and  painstaking  lawyer,  and  had  an 
extensive  practice. 

TIMOTHY  TAYLOR  MERWIN,  son  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Merwin,  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1827, 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  for  some  years  in  Nor- 
walk.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly 
in  1838  and  was  Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  from  1839 
to  1842.  He  removed  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  retired 
from  practice.  He  died  in  1885.  He  married  Hannah 
B.  White,  daughter  of  Col.  E.  Moss  White  of  Danbury. 

GEORGE  A.  DAVENPORT  was  bom  in  Wilton, 
January  2ist,  1808.  He  studied  law  at  Yale  College,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  in  Norwalk.  He  was 
for  a  short  time  a  partner  of  Judge  Butler.  He  seldom 
appeared  in  the  Courts,  and  in  his  later  life  never.  He 
was  an  office  lawyer,  devoting  his  time  chiefly  to  con- 
veyancing, drafting  of  wills,  contracts  and  the  giving  of 
legal  advice,  and  had  no  superior  in  the  conscientious 
accuracy  of  all  his  work.  He  was  thoroughly  grounded 
in  elementary  and  probate  law,  and  will  be  longest 
remembered  as  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  District  of  Nor- 
walk, which  office  he  filled  with  conspicuous  ability  for 
thirty  years.  He  jnarried  Mary  Sturges,  daughter  of 
Erastus  Sturges,  Esq.,  of  Wilton.  He  died  January  I3th, 
1894,  leaving  six  children,  of  whom  three  are  able  and 
prominent  lawyers,  viz.,  Benjamin  Davenport  of  Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota;  Daniel  Davenport  of  Bridgeport,  and 
Timothy  Davenport  of  New  York  City. 

ISAAC  MOREHOUSE  STURGES,  son  of  Erastus 
Sturges,  Esq.,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Wilton,  was  born 
in  that  town,  within  the  limits  of  ancient  Norwalk,  July 

284 


6  1807,  and  died  October  30,  1877.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1837,  practiced  in  Newtown  until  1848,  and  af- 
terwards until  his  death  in  Bridgeport,  but  during  the  last 
years  of  his  life  resided  in  Wilton.  He  represented  Wil- 
ton in  the  General  Assembly  in  1837  and  1876,  and  New- 
town  in  1844.  He  was  Judge  of  Probate  in  Newtown  in 
1844,  and  Judge  of  the  City  Court  of  Bridgeport  in  1860 
and  1 86 1.  He  was  unmarried.  He  was  a  man  of  untir- 
ing industry,  extensive  legal  learning,  and  devotion  to 
the  interests  of  his  numerous  clients. 

ORRIS  SANFORD  FERRY,  son  of  Starr  Ferry, 
was  born  in  Bethel,  August  isth,  1823;  graduated  at 
Yale  College  in  1844;  studied  law  in  the  offices  of  Hon. 
Thomas  B.  Osborne  at  Fairfield  and  Hon.  Thomas  B. 
Butler  at  Norwalk ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1846  and 
began  practice  in  Norwalk,  where  he  always  afterwards 
resided.  In  1849-50  he  was  Judge  of  Probate  for  the 
District  of  Norwalk ;  in  1855  and  1856  he  represented  the 
1 2th  District  in  the  State  Senate,  and  was  chairman  of 
the  Judiciary  Committee ;  and  from  1856  to  1859  ne  was 
State's  Attorney  for  the  County  of  Fairfield.  From  1859 
to  1861  he  represented  the  4th  District  in  Congress.  On 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he  was  appointed 
Colonel  of  the  5th  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers; 
in  the  following  year  was  made  brigadier  general,  served 
in  that  capacity  through  the  war,  and  was  brevetted 
major  general  for  meritorious  services.  He  returned  to 
the  practice  of  law  in  1865,  was  elected  United  States 
Senator  in  1866  and  re-elected  in  1872.  He  died  while 
Senator,  November  21,  1875.  Soon  after  his  admission 
to  the  bar  he  married  Charlotte  C.  Bissell,  daughter  of 
Col.  Clark  Bissell,  who  with  one  daughter,  Mary  Bissell 
Ferry,  survives.  His  home  in  his  later  years  was  on  East 
Avenue,  in  the  house  built  by  himself.  He  was  a  man  of 
vigorous  intellect,  an  able  lawyer,  and  an  orator  of  great 
power,  at  the  bar,  in  the  Senate,  and  before  popular 
assemblies.  He  had,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  the  "clear- 
ness, force  and  earnestness,"  which  according  to  Webster 
are  the  qualities  that  produce  conviction;  and  with  his 
manifest  sincerity  and  high  personal  character,  exercised 
a  wide  influence  among  his  acquaintance  in  the  commun- 
ity where  he  lived,  and  in  the  national  councils. 

NELSON  TAYLOR  was  born  in  South  Norwalk, 
June  8th,  1821,  and  died  there  January  i6th,  1894. 

886 


When  a  young  lad,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  New 
York  City.  In  the  Mexican  War  he  was  a  captain  of 
Volunteers,  and  was  sent  with  his  command  to  California. 
He  remained  there  several  years  after  the  close  of  the  war, 
engaged  in  business  and  accumulated  a  handsome  for- 
tune. He  then  returned  East,  studied  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  New  York  bar.  In  the  war  of  1861  he 
again  volunteered,  was  Colonel  of  a  New  York  Regi- 
ment, and  in  1862  was  promoted  to  brigadier  general. 
After  the  war  he  served  one  term  as  representative  in 
Congress  from  New  York  City.  In  1867  he  returned 
to  South  Norwalk  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law, 
having  for  several  years  as  a  partner  his  son  Nelson  Tay- 
lor, Jr.  Gen.  Taylor  was  a  public-spirited  citizen,  served 
as  a  selectman  of  the  town  of  Norwalk  and  held  other 
important  local  offices. 

JOSEPH  FORWARD  FOOTE  was  born  in  South- 
wick,  Mass.,  in  1828;  graduated  with  high  honors  at 
Yale  College  in  1850 ;  studied  law  at  Norwich  with  Hon. 
Lafayette  S.  Foster  and  at  Norwalk  with  Hon.  Orris  S. 
Ferry;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1853,  an(^  practiced 
law  in  Norwalk  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Decem- 
ber 5th,  1883.  He  was  Executive  Secretary  under  Gov. 
Minor  in  1855  and  1856.  He  practiced  but  little  in  the 
courts.  He  was  for  many  years  the  justice  of  the  peace 
before  whom  most  of  the  justice  cases,  civil  and  criminal, 
were  tried,  for  several  years  one  of  the  selectmen  of  Nor- 
walk, and  held  numerous  other  positions  of  trust.  He 
married  Jennie  Middlebrook,  daughter  of  George  B. 
Middlebrook,  Esq.,  but  left  no  children. 

JOSEPH  WARREN  WILSON  was  born  in  1827 
at  Natick,  Massachusetts ;  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1854;  taught  for  a  time  at  the  Collegiate  and  Commer- 
cial Institute  in  New  Haven;  studied  law  in  the  office 
of  Josiah  M.  Carter,  Esq.,  in  Norwalk,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1857.  He  went  to  Minneapolis,  Minnesota, 
with  a  view  of  settling  there,  but  soon  returned  to  Nor- 
walk and  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  Carter.  He  was  for 
many  years  an  active  and  leading  member  of  the  Board 
of  School  Visitors,  and  held  various  other  local  offices. 
He  married  Miss  Julia  Phelps  of  New  Haven  and  left  two 
surviving  sons,  one  of  whom  is  Robert  G.  Wilson.  He 
died  February  26,  1887. 

In  addition  to  the  above,    Roger    Minot    Sherman, 


afterwards  of  Fairfield ;  David  C.  Sanford,  afterwards  of 
New  Milford,  and  Sidney  Burr  Beardsley,  afterwards  of 
Bridgeport,  all  of  whom  were  eminent  at  the  bar  and  sub- 
sequently judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors,  prac- 
ticed for  a  time  in  Norwalk ;  Israel  M.  Bullock,  who  rep- 
resented Norwalk  in  the  General  Assembly  in  1869,  and 
in  the  same  year  removed  to  Bridgeport,  where  he  had  a 
successful  career,  ended  too  soon  by  death ;  Lewis  F. 
Beers,  who  was  representative  in  the  General  Assembly 
in  1871,  and  died  eafly  in  1872;  George  R.  Cowles,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  bar,  but  devoted  his  life  to  business 
pursuits,  represented  the  town  four  successive  years  in 
the  legislature,  and  died,  much  respected,  in  1897.  From 
Wilton  may  be  named  Charles  Jones  and  Samuel  Jones, 
brothers,  prominent  members  of  the  New  York  bar,  and 
doubtless  others  of  equal  rank. 


SOME    OLD    HOUSES    IN    NORWALK 


By  Angeline  Scott. 

i 

LTHOUGH  NorwaJk  is  two  hundred 
and  fifty  years  old,  we  may  look  in  vain 
for  picturesque  relics  of  its  first  hun- 
dred years  in  the  shape  of  quaint 
buildings  such  as  exist  in  some  Massa- 
chusetts towns  of  similar  age.  Every- 
thing of  that  period  is  gone.  General 
Tryon  did  much,  in  his  historic  raid, 
towards  obliterating  earliest  Norwalk,  and  our  spirit  of 
modern  progress  has  carried  on  the  work  until  there  is 
almost  nothing  left  of  ante-Revolutionary  Norwalk. 
There  is  no  evidence  to  show  that  any  of  the  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  houses  burned  by  Tryon  in  1779  had  any 
architectural  pretensions.  Even  the  inhabitants  of 
substantial  fortunes  for  the  times,  and  aristocratic  con- 
nections, contented  themselves  with  homes  of  the 
comfortable  farmhouse  type,  with  plain  gabled  roofs, 
shingled  sides  and  a  low,  sloping  lean-to  at  the  rear  or 
side  of  the  main  building.  The  doorways,  often  supplied 
with  the  Dutch  doors  opening  in  half,  opened  directly 
on  a  broad,  rough-hewn  stone  step,  as  a  rule,  while  a  few 
houses  had  small  porches  supported  by  simple  pillars, 
with  narrow  seats  on  either  side.  The  well  is  often  the 
last  vestige  of  an  old  homestead.  You  will  notice  every- 
where in  the  country  that  buildings  and  gardens  and 
fences  and  dooryard  trees  disappear  from  a  homestead 
before  the  well  of  the  "Old  Oaken  Bucket"  gives  way, 
In  East  Norwalk,  in  the  lot  next  the  railroad  track,  is  one 
of  the  old  wells ;  that  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hanford,  first 
minister  of  the  old  First  Church,  and  for  forty  years  a 
leader  in  town  affairs.  Here,  in  Revolutionary  days, 
lived  Hezekiah  Hanford,  the  soldier  father  of  Grace  Han- 
ford  who  married  Capt.  Hezekiah  Betts.  The  quaint 
little  gray  house  on  the  corner  of  Fitch  street,  whose  yard 
is  gay  with  phlox  and  tiger-lilies  in  midsummer,  was 
built  by  Josiah  Hanford  Fitch.  He  subsequently 
removed  to  the  Prowitt  house  across  the  way,  which  was 
built  for  Mr.  Fitch  early  in  the  century. 

The  site  is  that  of  the  original  Marvin  home-lot  "the 
one  nearest  the  meeting  house." 


Founder's  Stone,  Kast  Avenue. 


Lieut.  Samuel  Marvin  House.  Fitch  Street. 


Fountain  Smith's  Farm,  East  Norwalk. 


Fitch's  Point. 


Gov.  Thomas  Fitch  House,  Kast  Avenue. 


Home  of  "  Yankee  Doodle." 


iff 

A 


»' 


Town   House. 


(iriiminan's   Hill. 


Pausing  by  the  founders'  stone,  we  can  see  two 
interesting  houses  on  Fitch  street.  On  our  right  is  a 
house  built  by  James  Fitch,  3d,  just  after  the  Revolution. 
He  was  a  grand  nephew  of  Gov.  Thomas  Fitch,  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution  and  a  man  of  means  and  influence. 
Quite  a  notable  old  house  commands  the  head  of  the 
street  where  the  old  Fairfield  Path  joins  Fitch  Point 
Path.  It  was  built  by  Lieut.  Samuel  Marvin,  on  the 
home-lot  of  one  of  the  first  settlers,  Thomas  Barnum. 
The  schoolhouse  under  the  elms  is,  perhaps,  not  vener- 
able in  age,  but  it  is  a  relic  of  the  days  of  the  district 
school  and  the  three  Rs  in  Norwalk,  and  as  such  is  cer- 
tainly picturesque.  Of  course  we  shall  find  no  Revolu- 
tionary houses  on  East  avenue,  although  the  lots  are  all 
historic  sites,  because  this  was  the  highway  down  which 
Tryon's  troops  marched  to  Fitch's  Point  in  1779,  and 
not  a  house  escaped  the  torch  of  destruction  on  their  way. 
After  the  war  the  Government  made  restitution  to  the 
sufferers  from  the  fire  in  grants  of  land  in  the  Connecticut 
Western  Reserve  in  Ohio,  known  in  Connecticut  history 
as  the  "Sufferers'  Lands,"  a  half  million  acres  being  dis- 
posed of  in  this  way.  An  inventory  of  Fountain  Smith's 
losses  by  Tryon's  raid  serves  to  show  the  contents  of  a 
house  of  that  period.  Probably  it  is  a  typical  list  except- 
ing the  material  for  making  barrels,  Fountain  Smith 
being  a  cooper. 

FOUNTAIN   SMITH'S   LOSS   BY   BURNING   OF   NOR- 
WALK, JULY  YE  IT,  1776. 

£     s.  d. 
One  house  28  by  26  one  story  and  a  half  well  finished 

below     05    o  o 

One  shop  20  feat  by  18  wide  finished 4  10  o 

Two  loads  of  good  English  hay  two  tun  4  IO  ° 

One  chest  of  curld  Maple  Draws  -    o  o 

Two  square  Table  one  Walnut  and  one  White  Wove  i     o  o 

Eight  Black  Chears  part  Worn o  16  o 

One  Brass  Cittle  of  30  We  I  10  ° 

One  Large  Pott  Iron  about  4  Gallons  012  o 

One  Large  Iron  Cittle  about  2  Gallons o    6  o 

One  pair  of  Styllards  o    3  o 

One   Frying   Pan    °    6  ° 

One  Small  Looking  Glass   o  10 

Two  good  new  corn  baskets  °    4  ° 

Two  good  Dutch  Whealls  at  15     per  peas  I  IO  o 

One  Reall   °    4  o 

One  Large  Reall   060 

Two  beadsteads  and  2  cords  at  10 °  I2 

Two  puter  plates  and  2  porringers  

One  dozen  of  Spoons  °    : 

Two  Wooden  Beds  °  I2  ° 

289 


Two  good  pillows  filled  with  Feathers  o    8    o 

One  Iron  Ladel   o    3    o 

One  Brass  Skimmer  o    4    o 

Six  Butter  Tubs  at  3  pr.  peas o  18    o 

One  Hundred  weight  of  fish  019    o 

Three  Pork  Barrels  at  012    o 

One  Barrell  of  Tobacco  about  60  We  i  10    o 

Two  good  Sedar  Tubs  o  10    o 

Twenty-two  flax  Seead  Casks  at  1-6-2   5  12    6 

Six  Hundred  White  oak  Staves  and  heading  I  10    o 

Eight  Sets  of  Barrells  Trushoos  i     4    o 

One  Thousand  Black  Oak  Sheaves i     o    o 

Three  Sinter  Stocks   o    9    o 

Four  Hundred  Black  oak  Staves  for  fox  o    9    o 

Seed  Casks  at  5    pr i     o    o 

Two  Shaving  horses  o    6    o 

One  Hundred  hoop  poales  o    4    o 

One  Sedar  Tub  half  Barrell  o    4    o 

One  Churn  at  4    pr o    4    o 

One  half  dozen  round  bottles  o    2    o 

Three  athorn  pals  i  Gallon  Each  o    3    o 

Six  wooden  boles  2  quarts  each  o    6    o 

One  Bread  Tray  o    3    o 

One  Larg  Salt  Moter o    6    o 

One  Weaned  Calf   i    o    o 

Fifteen  Geas  at  1-6  pr.  p i     i    o 

Two  Iron  Candlesticks o    3    o 

One  half  Barrel  of  Soape o  10    o 

Fifteen  pounds  of  Soap  Greass  o    3    o 

Six  pounds  of  Tallow  at  6 o    3    o 

One  hundred  of  Chestnut  rayls i  10    o 

Thirty  weight  of  Good  Flower  o    5    6 

Three  Large  Bee  hives  at  1-6  o    3    6 

One  half  hogshead  Tub   o    3    6 

One  half  barrel  Cask  of  Vinnegar  Barrell  and  all  ....  o  18    o 

One  Box  Iron  o    3    o 

Two  wooden  bottles  of      3 o    6    o 

Two  outside  jackets  half  worne  Both  Wooling 015    o 

Six  pair  of  Good  pillow  bears  at  3  pr.  pair  o     i     6 

One  large  earthern  platter    o    i    6 

One  Large  Earthen  Pan   o    i    9 

One  Cradle  White  Wood  o  16    o 

One  pair  of  hand  Bellows  o    3    o 

Three  Cross  stocks  for  hogsheads 

And  2  Barrell  Cows  Stocks  at  1-6 076 

The  Fountain  Smith  farm  is  on  Raymond  street 
just  off  from  East  avenue,  near  the  old  schoolhouse. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  July  u,  1779,  Mr.  Smith  was 
strolling  about  his  door-yard  without  his  coat,  enjoying 
the  summer  air  and  peaceful  landscape.  Suddenly  he 
was  seized  from  behind  and  he  found  himself  a  prisoner 
in  British  hands.  Being  very  deaf  he  had  not  heard  the 
approach  of  the  soldiers  up  the  street,  and  was  taken 

completely    unawares.     Subsequently    Fountain  Smith 

890 


was  sent  to  a  wretched  prison  in  New  York,  where  many 
patriots  suffered ;  and  he  died  soon  after  of  hardship,  at 
the  age  of  fifty-four.  Up  the  same  street,  further  on,  is 
the  home  of  Josiah  Raymond,  who  married  Molly  Mer- 
wine,  of  Greenfield  Hill,  in  1765. 

There  are  interesting  associations  connected  with 
both  the  Beard  and  Earle  places,  on  what  was  known  as 
Meeting  House  Hill  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  but 
since  nothing  here  looks  as  it  did  then  we  will  pass  by 
these  traditions  and  come  to  the  Fitch  lands.  First  is 
the  homestead  of  Thomas  Fitch,  Governor  of  the  Colony 
of  Connecticut,  1754-1766,  whose  virtues  are  set  forth 
in  a  long  eulogistic  epitaph  on  the  brown  table  stone 
which  marks  his  tomb  in  the  old  East  Norwalk  burial 
ground.  Many  of  our  townspeople  trace  their  ancestry 
to  Gov.  Fitch,  and  feel  a  venerating  interest  in  this  home- 
stead. 

The  old  house,  one  room  of  which  had  served  as 
Norwalk's  first  town  clerk's  office,  was  burned ;  but  the 
kitchen  wing  of  the  building  was  saved,  and  this  remnant 
which  was  subsequently  moved  onto  the  foundation  of 
the  main  house,  together  with  a  new  addition,  constitutes 
the  present  dwelling.  If  we  search  a  little  we  will  find 
the  old  well  with  green  moss-grown  stones  and  its  waters 
clear  and  sparkling  as  ever.  A  great  elm,  one  of  the 
finest  specimens  of  its  race  until  the  beetles  killed  it,  a 
few  years  ago,  was  a  joy  to  every  passer-by.  It  was 
planted  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  by  Gov.  Fitch 
himself.  Two  brothers  of  Thomas  Fitch  had  homes 
near  by.  That  of  Samuel  Fitch,  a  deputy  to  the  Colonial 
Assembly,  has  long  since  disappeared;  but  a  portion  of 
James  Fitch's  home  survives  in  the  present  residence  of 
Oscar  Raymond,  which  was  built  by  Jonathan  Fitch  early 
in  the  nineteenth  century.  At  a  street  on  our  left  which 
runs  to  Oyster  Shell  Point,  we  find  a  house  which  once 
belonged  to  "Yankee  Doodle"  himself,  otherwise  known 
as  Col.  Thomas  Fitch.  About  1755  Col.  Fitch  com- 
manded American  troops  who  joined  a  detachment  of 
British  regulars  in  an  expedition  to  Ticonderoga  and 
Louisburg.  As  they  marched  into  Greenbush,  where  the 
army  was  quartered,  Col.  Fitch  at  the  head  of  his  raw- 
looking  regiment,  a  witty  Englishman  exclaimed,  "So 
that's  your  Yankee  Doodle!"  and  thus  the  nick-name 
was  fastened  upon  Col.  Fitch.  The  popular  song  was 
written  at  about  this  time  by  "Dr.  Schackburgh  who  was 
attached  to  the  British  staff.  Written  in  derision  of  the 

991 


Americans,  it  nevertheless  was  adopted  by  them  with 
much  enjoyment,  and  was  a  favorite  song  during  the 
Revolutionary  War  some  twenty  years  later.  The  G.  W. 
Hunter  house  on  the  high  bank,  a  little  further  up  the 
avenue,  was  the  Congregational  parsonage  ninety  years 
ago ;  and  here  occurred  a  historical  calamity,  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  oldest  records  of  the  First  church,  containing 
the  births,  and  marriages  of  its  early  members.  The 
precious  volumes,  stored  in  a  wicker  basket  in  the  attic, 
were  reduced  to  rags  by  rats.  Rev.  Roswell  Swan,  pas- 
tor 1807-1819,  died  in  this  house  and  was  buried  in  the 
Town  House  Cemetery.  The  meeting  house,  which  was 
burned  in  the  Revolution  with  its  steeple,  bell  and  broad 
stone  steps,  stood  on  the  site  of  Mrs.  W.  G.  Thomas's 
residence.  Rev.  Mr.  Swan's  church,  which  succeeded 
that  one,  stood  on  the  lower  end  of  the  Green  until  the 
present  edifice  was  built  in  1849.  A  relic  of  the  old 
church,  the  lantern  which  lighted  the  vestibule,  is  owned 
by  Mr.  C.  A.  Quintard.  In  this  building  "Parson  Hall" 
preached  a  little  later,  under  a  sounding  board  hung  over 
the  high  pulpit  which  was  just  large  enough  for  the 
preacher;  if  a  visiting  clergyman  assisted  at  service  he 
had  to  sit  outside. 

To  a  broad  flat  stone  under  a  great  elm  tree,  came 
the  carriages  of  the  parishioners  from  a  distance ;  among 
them  Joseph  Marvin's  from  Westport  and  Miss  Phoebe 
Comstock's  from  Comstock  Hill,  accompanied  by  her 
white-haired  slave  Onesimus,  the  last  slave  held  in  Con- 
necticut, because  he  had  refused  his  freedom.  For  fifty 
years  he  never  missed  a  Sunday  in  his  place. 

Miss  Comstock,  or  "Aunt  Phoebe"  as  everyone 
called  her,  might  have  adopted  a  certain  text  in  Galatians 
for  her  own,  "Rejoice,  for  the  desolate  hath  more  child- 
ren than  she  which  hath  a  husband";  because,  in  the 
course  of  her  life,  she  adopted  no  less  than  thirteen  boys 
and  twenty-six  girls,  orphans,  keeping  them  until  the 
boys  were  old  enough  to  be  apprenticed  and  the  girls  to 
marry  or  become  housekeepers  for  other  people. 

Some  of  Aunt  Phoebe's  boys  became  well-known  in 
the  world  as  men.  Her  home  in  northern  Norwalk  was 
famous  as  a  ministers'  tavern  for  visiting  clergy,  nor  did 
she  fail  to  cheer  the  lot  of  her  pastor  by  sending  him 
presents  of  poultry  and  other  farm  delicacies ;  while  the 
poor  of  the  parish  were  not  neglected.  In  1878,  nearly 
fifty  years  after  Miss  Comstock's  death,  there  was  an 
auction  of  her  household  effects,  the  account  of  which 

M 


makes  a  collector  envious.  Old  dishes  were  sold,  and 
furniture,  among  which  was  the  Tryon  chair  (now  owned 
by  the  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck),  spinning  wheels,  and 
all  the  paraphernalia  of  colonial  housekeeping, 
hand-woven  coverlets  and  linen,  besides  attic 
treasures  innumerable.  The  Noah  Wood  house 
on  East  avenue  was  the  parsonage  in  Dr.  Hall's 
day,  and  he  wrote  his  three  books,  "The  History  of 
Norwalk,"  'The  Puritans  and  Their  Principles,"  and 
"Infant  Baptism"  in  its  front  upper  room.  A  town 
house,  used  as  a  guard  house  during  the  Revolution, 
stood  on  the  site  of  our  present  old  town  house,  which 
was  burned  in  1779  and  replaced  by  an  uncouth-looking 
structure  which  came  to  a  violent  end  one  night  some 
forty  years  later,  at  the  hands  of  a  mob  of  young  blades 
who  called  themselves  "Ensign  Andrews."  On  its  ruins 
our  own  "Old  Town  House"  was  built,  which  is  not  so 
very  old  after  all,  since  it  was  built  in  1835.  It  is  one  of 
the  oldest  brick  structures  in  town,  however;  the  old 
bank  on  Wall  street  (Dr.  Walter  Hitchcock's  office)  be- 
ing the  first,  two  houses  in  Rowaytori  next  and  the  Town 
House  fourth  in  age;  all  of  them  the  work  of  Lewis 
Raymond,  mason  and  builder.  The  Town  House  used 
to  be  the  only  public  hall  in  Norwalk  and  it  served  for 
other  gatherings  than  elections  and  town  meetings.  It 
was  used  by  the  Baptists  during  the  late  thirties  before 
they  had  a  meeting  house  of  their  own.  School  exhibi- 
tions, lyceum  lectures,  and  the  Washingtonian  temper- 
ance meetings  of  sixty  years  ago,  when  total  abstinence 
was  a  new  idea,  were  held  in  the  Town  House.  On  one 
occasion  the  volunteer  fire  company  of  popular  young 
men  filed  up  to  the  desk  in  a  body  to  sign  the  pledge. 
The  glib  Mormon  apostles  preached  their  doctrines  from 
the  Town  House  platform,  winning  a  few  converts,  in  the 
days  of  Joseph  Smith. 

Col.  F.  St.  John  Lockwood's  beautiful  lawn  is  the 
site  of  a  notable  colonial  home,  that  of  Commodore  John 
Cannon,  whose  ships  plied  between  Norwalk  and  the 
West  Indies  just  before  the  Revolution.  Few  people  to- 
day are  aware  of  the  important  carrying-trade  which 
existed  at  that  time,  when  hams,  horses,  staves,  hoops, 
flour,  butter  and  earthenware  were  exported,  and  sugar, 
molasses  and  liquors  imported.  The  Cannon  house  was 
spacious,  with  a  great  chimney  in  which  a  whole  ox 
might  be  roasted,  besides  affording  room  for  game  and 
poultry  on  spits,  and  kettles  hung  from  swinging  cranes, 


tended  by  the  negro  slaves.  The  house,  surrounded  by  a 
fine  orchard,  its  bountiful  table  furnished  with  plate  and 
old  Canton  china,  was  the  sort  of  home  about  which  a 
novelist  would  delight  in  weaving  tales.  It  was  burned 
by  Tryon  in  1779  and  the  valuables  which  could  be 
hastily  gathered  were  hidden  in  the  chimney  or  secreted 
in  the  well.  Three  of  John  Cannon's  sons  built  Norwalk 
homes,  the  eldest,  named  after  his  father,  built  the  house 
now  occupied  by  C.  O.  C.  Betts  on  the  Green.  It  was 
first  built  in  1773  and  destroyed  by  the  fire  six  years 
later,  but  it  was  rebuilt  almost  immediately.  Though 
somewhat  changed  in  its  outward  appearance  since  then, 
the  hall  and  front  portion  of  the  house  are  almost  the 
same  as  they  were  originally.  In  the  drawing-room  the 
quaint  painting  of  the  New  York  Battery  over  the  high 
colonial  mantel  imparts  a  distinctive  touch  of  a  by-gone 
day.  The  house  on  Mill  Hill,  known  until  recently  as 
the  home  of  Miss  Julia  Lockwood,  was  built  by  Samuel 
Cannon  just  after  the  Revolution.  Col.  Buckingham 
Lockwood  purchased  it  for  the  family  homestead  about 
seventy  years  ago.  Mr.  Selleck's  history  contains  a  pic- 
ture of  the  house  as  it  looked  originally  with  a  gabled 
roof. 

A  realistic  incident  of  Norwalk's  day  of  terror,  in 
connection  v/ith  the  corner  house,  known  as  the  Bis- 
sell  house,  is  related  in  Hall's  history.  It  was  then  the 
home  of  Thomas  Belden,  and  his  housekeeper  in  a  fever 
of  anxiety  about  the  property  in  her  care,  ran  hastily 
across  the  Green  to  consult  with  Mrs.  William  St.  John, 
whose  home  stood  where  Morgan  avenue  joins  East' 
avenue,  when  the  alarm  guns  were  fired.  It  was  Satur- 
day night,  July  n,  1779,  and  Mrs.  St.  John  was  prepar- 
ing her  bread  for  baking  in  the  brick  oven,  when  Mr. 
Belden's  housekeeper  came  running  in:  "Are  you  going 
to  stay?"  she  asked  Mrs.  St.  John.  "Nc,"  was  the 
answer,  "I  am  going  out  of  the  way."  "Well,"  responded 
the  other  woman,  "I  shall  stay,  I  will  go  to  Gov.  Tryon 
and  plead  for  the  house.  When  he  was  Governor  he 
stayed  with  us  over  night  with  his  attendants  and  horses. 
I  will  tell  him  we  are  friends  of  the  Government."  Mrs. 
St.  John  responded  with  a  spirit  of  true  New  England 
thrift,  "If  you  are  going  to  stay,  take  my  dough";  and 
Mr.  Belden's  housekeeper  went  back  across  the  Green 
with  the  burning  oven  wood  and  loaves  of  bread  ready 
for  baking,  while  Mrs.  St.  John  made  preparations  to  go 
to  the  woods  with  her  family.  Gen.  Tryon,  sitting  in  his 

294 


tent  next  morning  on  Grumman's  Hill,  which  was  "all 
red  with  the  British,"  that  day,  listened  to  the  house- 
keeper's plea  and  sent  a  file  of  soldiers  to  protect  the  Bel- 
den  house  and,  though  the  flames  had  started,  they  put 
out  the  fire.  In  1816  the  house  was  bought  by  Clark 
Bissell,  Esq.,  an  eminent  Connecticut  lawyer,  who  was 
Governor  of  the  State  in  1846-49,  and  it  remained  in  his 
family  until  the  death  of  the  Rev.  S.  B.  S.  Bissell,  a  few 
years  ago.  The  present  Congregational  parsonage  looks 
very  modern,  and  yet  a  portion  of  it  is  very  old.  In  ante- 
Revolutionary  days  it  was  an  inn  kept  by  John  Betts. 
Here  Franklin  stopped  on  one  occasion,  and  here  lodged 
the  elegant  Madam  Van  Home  and  Her  two  beautiful 
daughters  in  the  summer  of  1779.  When  the  British 
soldiers  set  fire  to  St.  Paul's  Church,  which  was  directly 
opposite  the  inn  on  the  Green,  Madam  Van  Home  hur- 
riedly ordered  her  coach  and  she  and  her  daughters  went 
to  Fairfield,  from  whence  they  embarked  for  their  home 
in  Flatbush,  where  they  were  protected  by  the  British 
officers,  notwithstanding  their  own  allegiance  to  the 
American  cause. 

Leaving  the  vicinity  of  the  Green  we  will  now  go  to 
Cannon  street;  here  we  find  a  house  near  the  sawmill 
which  is  a  perfect  picture  of  an  old  Norwalk  home,  in  the 
Josiah  St.  John  house,  built  about  1770.  Mrs.  St.  John 
was  a  New  Canaan  girl,  and  at  her  hospitable  fireside 
many  of  her  friends  from  New  Canaan  and  Fairfield 
drank  tea  in  the  days  when  the  tax  made  patriots  use 
small  teacups.  Good  Mr.  Moses  St.  John,  her  father- 
in-law,  used  to  remonstrate  with  Mrs.  Josiah  about  it, 
even  it  is  said,  trying  to  prevent  the  making  of  tea  by 
emptying  the  boiling  water  from  the  kettle  in  his  zeal,  but 
that  did  not  diminish  her  hospitality.  The  Camp  place 
at  East  Rocks  was  built  by  James  Cannon,  the  third  son 
of  Commodore  Cannon.  We  glance  at  the  Rocks  as  we 
go,  remembering  their  part  in  Norwalk's  history,  silent 
witnesses  still  in  existence  of  the  battle  in  1779  when 
Capt.  Betts  with  fifty  Continental  regulars  and  a  few 
militia  resisted  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy  for  several 
hours. 

Tradition  says  that  the  wounded  were  carried  to  the 
Whitney  house  on  upper  Main  street  which  stood  on  the 
present  site  of  Avison's  market,  and  was  torn  down  in 
1864.  On  France  street  is  the  old  Betts  homestead,  the 
birthplace  of  Hezekiah  Betts  from  whence  he  went  out 
to  fight  in  the  Revolutionary  War  in  1780.  The  original 

895 


house  was  very  old  even  then,  having  been  built  in  1660, 
by  Thomas  Betts,  ist.  That  structure  was  burned,  but 
the  present  one  is  built  around  the  old  chimney.  In 
Winnipauk,  on  the  east  side  of  Main  street,  not  far  from 
the  Fair  Grounds,  is  the  Jonathan  Betts  house  which  was 
built  just  after  the  Revolution  by  Elijah  Gregory  who 
served  a  few  months  in  the  army.  The  old  tamily  burial 
plot  once  occupied  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  street 
and  the  New  Canaan  road,  though  its  gravestones  have 
long  since  disappeared. 

At  the  corner  of  Main  street  and  Union  avenue  is  a 
house  which  dates  from  1760,  when  it  was  built  by  Uriah 
Selleck,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  W.  K.  James,  at  about  the 
time  of  his  marriage  to  Hannah  Smith,  of  Stamford.  The 
house  is  now  the  home  of  Mrs.  Kate  P.  Hunter.  Its 
once  sloping  roof  has  been  cut  off  at  the  rear  and  an 
extension  added,  and  its  shingled  sides  covered,  with 
clapboards ;  but  otherwise  this  Revolutionary  home  is 
little  changed. 

We  notice  another  Revolutionary  home  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  West  Main  streets,  in  the  Benedict  house 
now  owned  by  Mr.  Charles  Seymour,  though  we  must 
use  a  discerning  eye  to  discover  its  age  under  its  modern- 
ized exterior. 

There  is  an  interesting  tale  concerning  the  Hezekiah 
Rogers  house  on  the  corner  of  Cross  street.  In  1789, 
Jesse  Lee,  the  early  apostle  of  Methodism  in  New  Eng- 
land, came  to  Norwalk  one  June  day  to  preach  his  first 
sermon  in  Connecticut.  He  had  some  reason  to  expect 
that  the  Rogers  house  would  be  opened  for  the  meeting, 
and  word  had  been  sent  around  among  those  interested 
to  assemble  there.  At  four  o'clock  Mr.  Lee  arrived  on 
horseback,  only  to  find  that  Mr.  Rogers  was  away  from 
home,  and  in  his  absence  his  wife  hesitated  to  open  the 
house  to  a  public  gathering.  An  old  lady  living  in  the 
next  house  was  asked  if  she  would  allow  the  meeting  in 
her  orchard,  but  she  objected  that  the  people  would 
trample  down  the  grass.  At  last,  Jesse  Lee  assembled 
his  audience  under  an  apple  tree  by  the  roadside  and 
preached  his  sermon  from  the  text  "Ye  must  be  born 
again."  Such  was  the  beginning  of  Methodism  in  Nor- 
walk. The  next  house  is  distinguished  as  the  home  of 
Charles  Robert  Sherman,  father  of  the  Hon.  John  Sher- 
man and  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman,  prior  to  the  removal  of 
the  family  to  Lancaster,  O.,  in  1810,  where  the  two 
famous  sons  were  born  some  years  later.  The  Shermans 

206 


Thomas  Belts  House,  France  Street. 


Josiah  St.  John  House,  Cannon  Street 


Isaacs  House. 


Flax   Hill   Memorial. 


were  popular  among  their  townsmen,  and  when  they  set 
forth  in  a  prairie  schooner  on  their  journey  to  Ohio,  so 
far  away  in  those  days,  a  throng  of  people  assembled  to 
bid  them  farewell. 

Samuel  Jarvis  Camp  had  a  singing  class  in  the  early 
eighteen  hundreds  at  his  home  on  the  corner  of  North 
avenue  and  Camp  street,  which  was  a  popular  social 
affair.  Among  his  pupils  were  Charles  R.  Sherman  and 
Senator  Thaddeus  Betts. 

The  Charles  St.  John  house  with  its  admirable 
architectural  style  of  the  period  of  1820,  was  built  by 
Ebenezer  Dimon  Hoyt.  When  first  built  it  commanded 
a  pretty  river  view  before  the  erection  of  the  Main  street 
business  blocks.  The  Jacob  Jennings  house,  like  the 
Fitch  place  on  East  avenue,  is  marked  by  the  trunk  of  a 
great  elm  tree.  In  their  day  these  trees  were  associated 
in  the  names  given  them  for  their  beauty,  the  Fitch  tree 
being  called  the  "King  Elm"  and  the  Jennings  tree  the 
"Queen  Elm"  of  Norwalk.  We  are  interested  in  the 
place  as  the  homestead  of  the  ancestors  of  all  the  Jennings 
families  in  town.  Jacob  Jennings  came  to  Norwalk  from 
Fairfield  in  1762,  and  built  the  house  for  his  bride,  Grace 
Parke,  of  Boston.  The  roads  were  narrower  then,  and 
there  was  an  ample  lawn  about  the  house  with  a  garden 
and  orchard  in  the  rear.  The  interior  of  the  house  was 
well  finished  in  hard  wood  and  the  tiles  of  the  fireplace 
were  of  the  Yonkers  manor-house  pattern.  One  of  the 
most  interesting  Revolutionary  houses  in  Norwalk  is  the 
Hoyt  house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  This  part 
of  Main  street  was  called  Mill  Plain  in  the  days  when 
Gould  Hoyt  bought  this  lot  for  his  house  in  1764.  His 
wife  was  a  Fairfield  lady  and  it  was  through  her 
acquaintance  with  Gen.  Tryon  in  days  of  peace  that  her 
house  was  saved  from  destruction  in  the  war  time.  Gen. 
Tryon  frequently  visited  friends  of  Mrs.  Hoyt  in  Fair- 
field,  at  whose  home  they  had  often  met,  therefore  her 
personal  plea  probably  saved  her  home  from  destruction. 

The  exterior  of  the  house  is  almost  the  same  as  it 
was  originally  and  its  interior  is  noteworthy  for  the  ar- 
rangement of  its  rooms,  and  for  the  Dutch  tiles  in  the 
parlor  fireplace  with  quaint  Scriptural  designs.  It  is  said 
that  the  first  ice  cream  made  in  Norwalk  was  served  at 
the  Hoyt  table,  consisting  of  pure  cream  simply  flavored 
and  frozen.  On  North  avenue  and  Knight  street,  the 
Eliphalet  Lockwood  house  and  the  homestead  of  Mr. 
George  B.  St.  John  claim  our  attention.  The  latter  was 

van 


built  in  1809  and  the  former,  which  was  the  home  of  Eli- 
phalet  Lockwood,  a  Revolutionary  officer  and  influential 
public  man,  was  built  somewhat  earlier.  The  long  rear 
additions  to  both  these  houses  are  the  old  servant  quar- 
ters, dairy  and  work  rooms,  relics  of  slavery  in  Connecti- 
cut. Knight  street  was  named  after  Dr.  Jonathan 
Knight,  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  army  who  came 
to  Norwalk  in  1781,  and  built  his  house  on  the  new  and 
hitherto  nameless  street.  High  street  was  Mullen  Hill 
in  those  days,  and  the  William  St.  John  house,  still  stand- 
ing, though  removed  from  its  first  site,  was  a  noticeable 
home,  which  is  shown  to  good  advantage  in  the  painting 
owned  by  Mr.  J.  P.  Treadwell,  which  gives  a  view  of  Nor- 
walk from  the  river.  Painted  white  with  a  trim  piazza 
and  colonial  railing,  the  old  house  stood  on  a  well-kept 
terraced  lawn  with  box  bordered  walks,  a  picture  worthy 
of  a  New  England  tale.  Arnold's  Inn  once  stood  where 
the  Street  Railway  station  is  to-day,  with  a  green  bank 
rising  behind  it.  It  was  considered  "a  very  sightly 
place"  there  at  the  head  of  navigation,  as  it  were,  and 
the  river  view  from  the  gallery  of  the  second  story  was 
much  admired.  In  summer  a  band  played  and  the  square 
before  the  inn  became  thronged  when  the  New  York 
packets  were  at  the  wharf.  Gen.  Try  on,  when  he  was 
Governor  of  Connecticut,  used  to  stop  here  sometimes ; 
and,  on  one  occasion,  he  bought  a  collection  of  natural 
history  specimens  of  Mr.  Arnold  which  he  sent  to  Lon- 
don. Sixty  years  ago  the  Connecticut  Hotel,  which  is 
now  the  Boston  Store,  divided  the  entertainment  of  the 
public  with  the  Norwalk  Hotel,  which  is  somewhat  older, 
having  completed  its  one  hundredth  year  last  April. 
Marquis  De  Lafayette  stopped  at  the  Norwalk  Hotel  in 
1824,  while  on  his  famous  tour  of  New  England,  and  he 
received  a  throng  of  Norwalk's  best  people  in  its  parlors. 
The  town  went  wild  with  enthusiasm  and  erected  a  tri- 
umphal arch  on  the  bridge  bearing  in  letters  spelled  in 
lights,  "Welcome  Lafayette."  The  Benjamin  Isaacs 
house  used  to  stand  where  the  Masonic  building  and 
Mrs.  E.  P.  Weed's  residence  are  at  the  present  time.  It 
was  probably  the  oldest  house  in  town  at  the  time  it  was 
removed,  having  been  built  in  1753,  and  there  are  several 
interesting  stories  connected  with  it.  The  Isaacs  family 
owned  a  number  of  slaves,  whose  bunks  in  the  cellar 
were  objects  of  curiosity  to  recent  generations.  It  was 
due  to  the  efforts  of  the  slaves  that  the  Isaacs  house  was 
saved  from  burning  during  Tryon's  visit. 

208 


In  April,  1781,  Col.  Stephen  St.  John  of  the  Ninth 
Regiment  of  Connecticut  Militia  was  taken  prisoner  by  a 
party  of  Associated  Loyalists  while  visiting  his  sick  wife 
in  the  Isaacs  house.  He  had  run  a  great  risk  in  coming 
to  Norwalk  at  that  time,  but  his  anxiety  for  his  wife's 
health  had  brought  him  to  her  side.  Some  Tory  learned 
of  his  coming  and  a  company  of  soldiers  under  Major 
Hubbell,  surrounded  the  Isaacs  house,  and  arrested  Col. 
St.  John.  They  marched  him  to  Fitch's  Point,  prodding 
him  with  their  bayonets  at  times  to  hasten  his  steps,  so 
that  when  he  reached  the  vessel  in  which  they  embarked 
his  shoes  were  filled  with  blood.  The  Anson  Quintard 
house  on  Water  street,  which  also  survived  the  burning 
of  Norwalk  still  bears  tokens  of  former  gentility  in  its 
present  guise  as  a  tenement  house,  in  a  well-designed 
doorway  with  wrought  iron  window  frames. 

Another  Revolutionary  house  which  is  still  standing 
should  be  noticed,  on  the  corner  of  Cross  and  River 
streets,  near  the  livery  stables.  It  was  built  by  Matthew 
Reed  of  the  Rowayton  family  which  will  be  mentioned 
later.  Matthew  Reed  was  a  famous  maker  of  clocks,  one 
of  which,  bearing  his  name,  is  owned  to-day  in  Stamford. 
The  house  owned  by  Mrs.  James  which  stands  on  West 
avenue  near  the  corner  of  Berkeley  street,  was  the 
home  of  John  Belden  in  Revolutionary  times. 
The  saving  of  the  house  from  burning  in  1779 
is  accounted  for,  according  to  Moses  Webb  (a 
veteran)  by  the  fact  that  Garth  deposited  some 
ammunition  in  the  building  on  that  eventful  day  in  July. 
The  Beldens  were  hospitable  people,  entertaining  many 
visitors  from  the  surrounding  towns  in  a  generous 
fashion.  Isaac  Belden's  house,  now  owned  by  the 
Catholic  Club,  was  built  just  after  the  Revolution  on  the 
site  of  his  father's  homestead.  A  part  of  the  Belden  lands 
were  at  "the  Neck,"  known  later  as  Belden's  or  Wilson's 
Point.  The  rectory  of  Grace  church  is  also  a  Belden 
house  of  an  early  date. 

The  Reuben  Mott  house  on  Belden  avenue  stood, 
until  1861,  on  the  property  of  the  Hon.  A.  H.  Byington, 
who  lived  in  the  old  house  until  his  own  residence  was 
built.  The  Mott  house  only  escaped  burning  in  1779  by 
accident ;  for,  after  the  soldiers  raided  the  milk  room  at 
the  back  of  the  house,  they  started  a  fire  on  a  broad 
wooden  shelf  and  left  it  to  accomplish  its  work  of  destruc- 
tion. It  happened,  however,  that  the  fire  burned  the 
shelf  just  enough  to  cause  it  to  fall  to  the  earth  floor  in 


299 


two  pieces  and  the  lack  of  draft,  together  with  the  cool, 
damp  earth,  checked  the  flames,  which  harmlessly 
smouldered  out. 

An  eight-pound  cannon  ball  supposed  to  have  been 
fired  from  a  field-piece  on  Grumman's  Hill  on  the  day  of 
Norwalk's  invasion,  was  dug  up  on  the  Mott  property 
some  years  ago. 

Stephen,  a  son  of  Reuben  Mott,  born  in  1771,  kept 
a  tavern  on  the  site  of  the  Carnegie  Library  early  in  the 
nineteenth  century,  at  which  the  stage  coach  stopped 
regularly. 

The  Thomas  Benedict  house  on  West  avenue  made 
way  some  years  ago  for  the  residence  of  the  Hon.  E.  J. 
Hill,  at  the  corner  of  Maple  street.  Many  living  persons 
recollect  the  old  shingled  house  with  a  projecting  roof, 
surrounded  by  an  orchard.  It  was  built  in  1725  by 
Thomas  Benedict,  fourth  of  that  name  in  Norwalk,  and 
was  occupied  in  1779  by  the  family  of  his  son,  Deacon 
Thomas  Benedict.  On  the  day  of  terror,  Mrs.  Benedict 
and  her  four  grown  children  had  retreated  to  the  woods 
at  Belden  Hill.  One  of  the  boys,  aged  fourteen  at  the 
time,  remembered  the  occurrences  vividly  all  his  life ; 
and,  in  1847,  he  related  the  story  to  the  Rev.  Edwin  Hall 
for  his  history  of  Norwalk.  "Uncle  Tommy  Benedict," 
as  he  was  called,  said  that  he  and  his  father  were  work- 
ing on  the  Benedict  farm  at  East  Norwalk,  on  July  n, 
1779,  and  they  were  the  first  to  see  Tryon's  fleet  entering 
the  harbor  and  to  give  warning  of  his  coming.  A  patriot 
guard  watched  all  night  and  Deacon  Benedict  set  out 
wine  and  cider  in  his  porch  for  their  refreshment.  Next 
clay  these  supplies  rejoiced  the  hearts  of  Gen.  Garth's 
soldiers,  some  of  whom  partook  too  freely ;  and,  as  the 
deacon  who  witnessed  the  scene  used  to  say,  when  telling 
the  story,  "a  drunken  person  was  as  harmless  as  a 
corpse."  The  delay  of  Gen.  Garth's  men  at  the  Benedict 
house,  enabled  the  Americans  to  join  forces  at  the  Rocks 
before  the  two  wings  of  the  British  troops  could  meet, 
which  held  the  day  a  little  longer  for  the  defenders  of  the 
town.  Mr.  Benedict  remained  in  his  house  with  his  ser- 
vants after  his  family's  departure,  being  prevented  by  a 
sudden  illness  from  following  them.  Gen.  Garth  decided 
to  leave  his  wounded  men  at  the  Benedict  house,  which 
resulted  in  saving  it  from  destruction. 

Mr.  Robert  Van  Buren  has  made  many  changes  in 
the  old  Phillipse  house,  yet  it  still  retains  the  stamp  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  It  was  built  by  Ebenezer  Phillipse 

300 


in  1795,  on  land  purchased  from  the  Benedict  family. 
One  of  his  daughters,  Miss  Sall_v  Phillipse  (afterwards 
the  wife  of  William  P.  Stuart),  assisted  Miss  Susan  Belts 
in  starting  the  first  Sunday-school  in  Norwalk,  which 
used  to  meet  inMissBetts'  private  school  rooms.  Elmen- 
worth  covers  such  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  east  side 
of  the  avenue  we  are  interested  to  know  what  used  to 
occupy  it.  James  Benedict,  whose  house  dated  from 
the  last  quarter  of  the  seventeen  hundreds,  planted  the 
elms  which  stand  by  the  park  gates,  to  shelter  his  good 
old-fashioned  home.  West  avenue  was  not  level  then,  as 
it  appears  now;  the  banks  before  the  houses  just  here 
show  how  much  the  original  grade  has  been  changed. 
James  Seymour's  row  of  great  maple  trees  in  front  of 
his  homestead  used  to  afford  a  welcome  shade  to  men 
and  beasts  after  they  had  climbed  this  hill.  Another 
old  Seymour  home  stood  next  below  on  the  present 
Elmenworth  Park,  which  was  an  inn  at  the  time  of  the 
Revolution. 

Every  one  will  recall  the  old  Sammis  house  by  the 
brook,  which  was  torn  down  when  Gen.  Frost's  house 
was  built  a  few  years  since.  It  was  so  picturesque  it  is 
a  pity  there  is  so  little  to  be  said  about  it.  John 
Seymour  had  the  cottage  hastily  built  for  his  family  after 
the  fire  in  1779,  to  serve  until  his  house  was  rebuilt. 
The  latter  is  now  a  part  of  the  remodeled  house  owned 
by  Mr.  J.  F.  Mcahon.  Capt.  Seth  Seymour's  home 
came  next  on  the  east  side  of  the  avenue  on  the  site  of 
the  home  of  Gould  Seymour,  his  great  grandson,  who 
proudly  shows  the  captain's  military  saddlebags  among 
other  relics  of  colonial  days.  Capt.  Seth  Seymour  had  an 
honorable  military  record,  and  he  died  a  prisoner  of  war 
in  the  wretched  Sugar  House  prison  in  New  York. 
Capt.  Seymour's  son  Seth,  a  boy  of  sixteen  in  1779, 
was  the  first  to  alarm  the  inhabitants  on  the  west  side 
of  the  river  of  the  coming  of  the  British  vessels  on  July 
nth.  He  saw  them  from  Hayes's  Hill  near  Keyser's 
Island,  where  he  was  working  in  the  hay  field  and  he 
hurried  to  Old  Well  to  give  the  alarm. 

The  contrast  between  old  and  new  Norwalk  is  em- 
phasized in  the  quaint  home  of  Jedediah  Brown,  standing 
next  the  new  First  Methodist  Church,  farther  down  on 
West  avenue.  The  Wentworth  Tavern  once  stood  on  the 
James  H.  Knapp  property,  next  to  the  Baptist  Church. 
It  is  inevitable  in  a  paper  of  this  kind  that  Washington 
should  be  mentioned  as  spending  a  night  in  at  least  one 


301 


house ;  and  it  now  becomes  necessary  to  state  that  Wash- 
ington once  slept  at  the  Wentworth  Tavern.  An  old 
house  was  removed  from  Ann  street  last  year,  to  make 
room  for  an  addition  to  the  Roth  and  Goldschmidt  fac- 
tory, which  was  built  in  1788  by  Eliakim  Smith,  whose 
earlier  home  on  the  same  site  was  burned  in  1/79.  Elia- 
kim Smith's  Bible  was  recently  found  in  the  possession 
of  the  New  York  Bible  Society,  bearing  the  imprint  of 
1634.  Its  inscription  is  quaint  and  interesting.  "This 
Book  was  100  years  old  that  year  the  subscriber  was 
born ;  Eliakim  Smith,  Jr.,  born  Dec.  25,  1734,  of  Norwalk 
in  Connecticut,  New  England;  who  died  Feb.  IT,  1819." 
On  its  fly  leaves  are  notes  of  events  which  seemed 
worthy  of  record  to  its  owner,  among  these,  "Norwalk 
burnt  July  n,  1779,  and  ye  winter  following  most  severe 
in  ye  fore  part  and  ye  following  summer  very  dry:' 
Marshall  street  was,  in  early  days,  an  important  thor- 
oughfare to  the  dock  where  packets  from  New  York  and 
steamboats  some  forty  years  later,  made  landing.  At 
the  dock  called  Liberty  Point  a  ferry  conveyed  passengers 
across  to  Oyster  Shell  Point,  long  years  before  there  was 
a  bridge  below  Norwalk.  Peter  Quintard  had  an  inn  at 
Liberty  Point  before  the  Revolution,  and  his  son  James 
rebuilt  it  after  the  fire.  James  Quintard's  swining  sign 
bore  these  lines: 

"Since  man  to  man  is  so  unjust 
You  cannot  tell  what  man  to  trust. 
I've  trusted  many  to  my  sorrow 
So  pay  to-day  and  trust  to-morrow." 

Old  Well  was  scarcely  a  village  in  those  days,  but 
rather  a  group  of  farms,  and  the  well  which  gave  the 
place  its  name  was  on  Water  street,  near  the  corner  of 
Haviland  street,  on  the  property  of  Eliakim  Raymond,  a 
patriarch  of  several  Norwalk  lines.  His  house  stood  at 
the  corner  of  Washington  and  Water  streets  before  the 
Revolution,  and  was  burned  with  the  rest  of  the  town. 
Subsequently  the  site  was  sold  to  the  Rev.  Absalom  Day, 
founder  of  the  First  Methodist  Church,  who  built  a 
substantial  house  of  the  Georgian  style  of  architecture, 
in  which,  it  is  said,  one  of  the  doors  of  the  old  Eliakim 
Raymond  house  was  adapted  for  further  service.  Twenty- 
five  years  ago  the  Absalom  Day  house  made  way  for  a 
business  block.  There  is  an  old  watercolor  drawing  in 
existence  which  shows  the  house  as  it  looked  seventy-five 

308 


years  ago.  Nathaniel  Raymond,  son  of  Eliakim,  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War;  and,  after  his 
return,  he  built  the  house  still  standing  on  lower  Wash- 
ington street,  near  the  office  of  Raymond  Brothers, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life;  a  saintly  soul, 
always  present  at  the  prayer  meetings  of  the  old  First 
Church.  One  of  Eliakim  Raymond's  daughters  married 
Isaac  Hoyt  and  they  lived  on  West  street,  at  the  foot 
of  Edward  Beard's  hill,  in  a  comfortable  two-storied 
dwelling.  The  old  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Becker  at 
the  foot  of  Washington  street  is  an  Old  Well  landmark 
built  by  George  Day.  Before  the  drawbridge  was  built 
the  tide  came  almost  to  the  door  on  the  north  side,  and 
shad  were  caught  from  an  old  pier  at  this  point.  The 
Peck  warehouse,  now  used  by  J.  H.  Ferris  for  grain  stor- 
age, was  a  country  store  doing  a  thriving  trade  in  the 
'thirties.  Among  the  great  elms  which  died  from  the 
ravages  of  the  elm  beetle  a  few  years  ago,  were  two  noble 
specimens  of  their  race  on  Flax  Hill.  They  died  and 
were  removed  at  about  the  time  Mr.  Thomas  I.  Raymond 
built  his  present  residence  on  the  property  which  they 
adorned.  These  trees  were  the  landmarks  of  the  Daniel 
K.  Nash  homestead,  the  site  of  which  was  the  scene  of 
exciting  incidents  on  the  day  of  Norwalk's  British  inva- 
sion. Gen.  Garth,  in  command  of  the  portion  of  the 
troops  which  approached  Norwalk  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  believed  the  resisting  patriots  were  intrenched  on 
Flax  Hill.  He  therefore  distributed  his  troops  so  as  to 
cut  off  the  Americans  from  escaping  towards  Norwalk, 
and  with  the  other  portion  charged  up  the  hill.  There 
was  a  sharp  skirmish  near  Trinity  Church ;  but  the  Eng- 
lish gained  the  top  of  the  first  hill,  losing  three  men  on 
the  present  Raymond  property.  Gen.  Garth  covered  his 
purpose  by  a  military  manoeuvre  and  paused  to  bury  the 
dead,  whose  remains  were  disinterred  some  fifty  years 
afterward  when  the  D.  K.  Nash  house  was  built.  The 
quaint  cottage  on  West  street  owned  by  Mr.  Samuel 
Ferris  was  a  Revolutionary  home  which  has  suffered 
little  change.  Thomas  Hoyt  lived  here  at  the  time  of 
Tryon's  raid  and  his  family  shared  in  the  general  alarm. 
The  founder  of  the  Reed  family  in  America  is  buried 
on  the  estate  of  Mr.  Samuel  Richards  Weed  at  Rowayton, 
and  the  place  has  been  marked  with  a  granite  tablet, 
bearing  John  Reed's  name  and  the  dates  1660-1704. 
was  one  of  Cromwell's  men  who  fled  to  America  after 
the  Restoration.  The  first  Reed  house,  which  was  torn 

303 


down  early  in  the  nineteenth  century,  was  a  roomy, 
substantial  structure,  the  loft  of  which  was  devoted  to 
religious  meeting's;  the  first  to  be  held  in  that  part  of 
Norwalk.  Many  of  the  Reed  descendants  lie  in  the  old 
Middle  Five  Mile  River  Cemetery. 

There  is  a  group  of  houses  in  the  vicinity  built  by 
later  generations  of  Reeds,  including  the  William  R. 
Lockwood  house,  though  the  family  has  no  representa- 
tives living  there  to-day. 

Near  Keeler's  ice  pond  are  the  ruins  of  an  old 
chimney,  the  last  vestige  of  a  picturesque  Warren 
house  which  was  covered  with  broad  hewn  shingles  and 
served  as  the  subject  of  many  a  sketch  and  amateur 
photograph  until  its  ruin  was  complete.  As  we  go  from 
Brookside  to  lower  Five  Mile  River,  we  pass  the  home 
of  Moses  Webb,  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution. 

In  Rowayton,  near  the  mouth  of  Five  Mile  River, 
are  some  Raymond  houses  that  date  back  more  than 
a  hundred  years.  In  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  Ger- 
shom  Raymond,  in  whose  blood  was  mingled  that  of  six 
of  the  founders  of  Norwalk,  a  member  of  the  County 
Congress  and  Committtee  of  Safety,  owned  nearly  the 
whole  of  lower  Five  Mile  River,  and  also  lands  at  the 
Oblong  above  New  Canaan  where  the  same  stream  rises. 
In  early  times  Gershom  Raymond  kept  six  men  on  his 
Oblong  fields  to  drive  away  the  deer  which  were  apt  to 
trample  down  the  growing  grain.  His  house  at  Roway- 
ton was  on  Main  street  near  the  hotel  building  of  to-day, 
but  it  disappeared  long  ago.  Three  houses  built  by 
Gershom  Raymond's  sons,  Paul,  Edward  and  Gershom, 
are  the  oldest  dwellings  in  Rowayton  at  the  present 
time,  Paul  Raymond's  house  dating  from  1774.  The 
Raymond  Cemetery  in  Rowayton  was  founded  in  1782 
by  these  three  brothers,  the  oldest  of  whom  fought  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  In  "Picturesque  America,"  edited 
by  Bryant,  and  published  about  twenty-five  years  ago, 
are  some  drawings  of  Norwalk  scenes  by  William  Hamil- 
ton Gibson.  Among  these  is  a  sketch  of  an  old  chimney 
on  Wilson's  Cove,  which  served  for  years  as  a  range  to 
mariners  and  fishermen.  It  is  now  quite  disappeared ; 
but  the  house  was  of  so  much  interest  historically,  and 
its  structure  so  typical  of  early  Norwalk  houses,  we  must 
notice  the  description  of  it,  which  is  given  by  W.  S. 
Bouton,  a  South  Norwalk  antiquarian.  "It  was  a  two- 
story  frame  structure  with  a  long  roof  sloping  to  the  rear, 
the  main  timbers  were  of  oak,  fourteen  inches  square  and 

304 


Paul  Tavlor  House,  West  Xorwalk. 


Isaac  Selleck  House,  West  Norwalk. 


ry    Iloii^e.  \Vinnipa\ik 


The  Sherman  House,  Main  Street,  Norwalk. 


Jacob  Jennings  House,  Main  Street,  Xorwalk. 


Gould  Hoyt  House,  Main  Street,  Norwalk. 


(lid  Chimnev  of  the  Rsaias  Bouton  House. 


covered  with  chestnut  shingles,  with  the  butts  fourteen 
inches  to  the  weather.  The  chimney  was  situated  in  the 
center  of  the  building,  constructed  of  rough  stone  with 
cross-sticks  of  oak.  Its  inside  was  plastered  with  lime 
made  of  clam  and  oyster  shells  found  in  the  Indian  graves 
at  Naramoke,  now  Wilson's  Point.  The  windows  were 
few  and  small.  The  main  fireplace  faced  one  of  the 
front  windows  from  which  its  owner  could  see  Long 
Island  Sound  and  the  waters  intervening,  and  watch  the 
movements  of  all  vessels  which  passed  that  way."  Here 
lived  Esaias  Bouton,  a  descendant  of  an  old  Norwalk  line 
and  an  interested  Tory  during  the  Revolution.  He  was 
very  useful  in  securing  produce  and  cattle  for  the  British 
army  on  Long  Island,  and  his  own  hearthfire  served  as 
the  signal  to  the  British  vessels  whether  the  coast  guard 
was  on  duty  or  not.  In  1798  an  order  signed  by  Tryon 
was  found  in  the  walls  of  the  Bouton  house,  which  read: 
"Deliver  the  beef,  grain  and  vegetables,  previously  or- 
dered, to  my  commissary.  Send  them  to  the  usual  place 
of  shipment." 

In  West  Norwalk  are  some  picturesque  old  houses. 

The  Street  house  is  the  oldest  of  these;  and  since 
it  was  considered  an  old  house  in  1750  it  must  be  the 
oldest  in  town  at  the  present  time.  It  is  well  finished  in- 
side with  ornamental  mouldings  and  paneled  walls.  Jesse 
Reed,  from  Rowayton,  built  his  house  in  1763,  for  which 
he  cleared  the  land  himself.  It  has  been  well  kept  and 
is  occupied  to-day  by  some  of  his  descendants.  Another 
old  house  is  that  of  Isaac- Selleck,  which  still  remains  in 
his  family.  The  Charles  Selleck  house,  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Frederick  Keyser,  is  known  to  be  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  years  old.  The  Nash  and  Taylor  houses  be- 
long to  the  same  period  as  the  Street  house,  first  men- 
tioned. The  Nash  house,  which  is  remarkably  well  pre- 
served, has  a  most  interesting  interior.  Tradition  credits 
Nathan  Nash  with  helping  the  British  with  their  foraging 
expeditions. 

The  Taylor  house,  near  by,  is  rapidly  falling  to  de- 
cay. Its  owner,  Paul  Taylor,  was  as  staunch  as  Nathan 
Nash  in  his  allegiance  to  King  George,  but  took  no  part 
in  the  foraging  raids  on  his  neighbors'  farms.  He  was  a 
man  of  decided  opinions  and  his  Tory  sentiments  made 
him  very  unpopular  with  his  American  fellow  townsmen. 
He  was  equally  intolerant  in  religion,  being  a  strong 
churchman  of  St.  Paul's  parish ;  and  when  his  daughter 
married  a  follower  of  Jesse  Lee  he  never  forgave  her; 


306 


but,  in  grief  and  anger,  bade  her  visit  his  house  no  more. 
One  of  his  sons,  too,  caused  parental  wrath  by  joining 
the  patriot  cause  and  serving  as  a  coast  guard  in  Middle- 
sex. 

In  the  outlying  regions  of  Silver  Mine  and  Broad 
River  are  other  picturesque  old  houses  which  survive  the 
generations  which  built  them,  and  whose  histories  would 
doubtless  yield  quaint  and  interesting  reminiscences  if 
they  were  brought  to  light. 

ANGELINE  SCOTT. 


BOROUGH  OF  NORWALK. 

The  Borough  of  Norwalk  was  chartered  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  May,  1836,  and  the  first  borough  officers 
were  elected  July  n,  1836,  as  follows: —  . 

Warden — Joseph  W.  Hubbell. 

Burgesses — William  S.  Street,  Matthias  Hubbell, 
Stephen  T.  Brewer,  Stiles  Curtis,  Levi  Clark,  Timothy 
T.  Merwin. 

Treasurer — Charles  Thomas. 

Bailiff — James  Stevens. 

Haywards — Levi  Clark,  Jason  Merrill,  William 
Cleveland,  Richard  Camp,  Daniel  Nash,  Robert  Cam- 
eron, John  Wasson,  Lewis  Whitney,  James  S.  Kellogg. 

Pound  Keepers — Eli  Sanford,  Nathan  Jarvis,  Mat- 
thias Hubbell,  Buckingham  Lockwood. 

Inspector  of  Coal  Wood  and  Hay — James  Stevens. 

Inspector  of  Grain — Edwin  Lockwood. 

Inspector  of  Butter — James  Porter. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Burgesses  was  held  at  the 
Town  House,  July  18,  1836. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Borough 
held  July  30,  1836,  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected 
to  the  offices  immediately  preceding  their  names: — 

Fire  Inspectors — Charles  Isaacs,  Henry  Selleck, 
Gould  D.  Jennings. 

Street  Inspectors — William  I.  Street,  John  Burrall, 
George  St.  John. 

Assessors — Moses  Gregory,  William  St.  John,  Ste- 
phen T.  Brewer. 

306 


BOROUGH  WATER  SUPPLY. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1870  the  question  of  a  water 
supply  for  the  Borough  of  Norwalk  was  agitated  with  the 
result  that  a  charter  for  that  purpose  was  procured  and 
approved  July  15,  1870. 

This  charter  contained  a  proviso  that  the  charter 
should  not  be  binding  upon  the  Borough  until  accepted 
by  a  vote  of  the  citizens  at  a  meeting  duly  called  for  that 
purpose. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  electors  held  August  24, 
1870,  the  charter  for  the  introduction  was  accepted  by 
a  vote  of  three  hundred  and  thirty-four  yeas  to  sixty- 
five  nays. 

On  the  second  day  of  September,  1870,  at  a  special 
election  held  for  that  purpose,  Thomas  H.  Morison, 
Samuel  Lynes,  M.  D.,  and  William  K.  James  were 
elected  Water  Commissioners,  and  Charles  H.  Street  was 
elected  Treasurer  of  the  Water  Fund. 

The  source  of  the  water  supply  is  the  Silver  Mine 
stream.  The  City,  formerly  the  Borough,  of  Norwalk 
owns  the  Scott  reservoir  at  Lewisboro,  New  York,  with 
a  capacity  of  54,973,000  gallons;  the  Grupe  reservoir  at 
New  Canaan,  Connecticut,  with  a  capacity  of  61,740,500 
gallons;  and  a  distributing  reservoir  at  Spring  Hill  in 
the  City  of  Norwalk,  with  a  capacity  of  4,500,000  gallons. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Wardens  of 
the  Borough  of  Norwalk  from  its  incorporation  to  the 
incorporation  of  the  City  of  Norwalk: — 

Joseph  W.  Hubbell,  1836,  1837,  1838,  1840,  1841, 
1855;  Clark  Bissell,  1839;  William  I.  Street,  1842,  1843, 
1844;  Stiles  Curtis,  1845,  1846,  1847,  1848,  1840,  1850, 
1851;  Charles  E.  Disbrow,  1852;  Dr.  Samuel  Lynes, 
1853,  1854,  1859,  1871 ;  Dimon  Fanton,  1856,  1857,  1858; 
William  C.  Street,  1860;  George  R.  Cholwell,  1861,  1862; 
Asa  Smith,  1863,  1864,  1870,  1873;  Edwin  Lockwood, 
1865,  1866,  1869;  Edward  P.  Weed,  1867,  1874*; 
Harvey  Fitch,  1868;  Asa  B.  Woodward,  1872;  Samuel 
Daskam,  i874§,  1875,  1876;  James  W.  Hyatt,  1877,  1880, 
1881,  1885,  1886,  1887**;  Thomas  H.  Morrison,  1878, 
1879;  William  H.  Smith,  1882,  1883,  1884;  George  S. 
Gregory,  i887§§ ;  James  G.  Gregory,  M.  D.,  1888;  Clar- 
ence B.  Coolidge,  1889;  John  H.  Lee,  1890;  Edwin  O. 
Keeler,  1891 ;  John  D.  Kimmey,  1892 ;  Edgar  N.  Sloan, 
1893. 

*Resigned.  §Elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  Edward  P.  Weed's 
resignation.  **Resigned.  §§Elected  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  James 
W.  Hyatt's  resignation. 

307 


CITY  OF  NORWALK. 

The  City  of  Norwalk  was  incorporated  by  an  act 
of  the  Legislature  approved  June  30,  1893,  with  a  proviso 
in  said  act  that  it  should  "not  take  take  effect  unless 
approved  by  a  majority  of  votes  cast  at  a  special  borough 
meeting  called  for  the  purpose  of  approving  or  disap- 
proving this  charter." 

In  accordance  with  the  above  proviso  a  special  Bor- 
ough meeting  of  the  Borough  of  Norwalk  was  held 
July  22,  1893,  at  which  meeting  there  were  cast  five 
hundred  and  sixty-six  ballots,  of  which  there  were  five 
hundred  and  fifty-two  approving  the  charter  of  the  City 
of  Norwalk  and  fourteen  disapproving  the  charter. 

On  the  second  day  of  October,  1893,  the  first  elec- 
tion for  City  officers  was  held  at  the  Hope  Hose  rooms 
on  Water  street  in  said  City  and  resulted  in  the  selection 
of  the  following  officers  as  the  first  City  officials : — 

Mayor — Edwin  O.  Keeler. 

Councilmen — John  A.  Osborn,  Elbert  S.  Adams, 
Arthur  C.  Wheeler,  Eugene  L.  Boyer,  Alfred  A.  Chinery, 
Jr.,  J.  Arthur  Pinneo. 

City  Treasurer  and  Treasurer  of  the  Wrater  Fund — 
Henry  P.  Price. 

Collector — Addison  A.  Betts. 

Auditor — Victor  S.  Selleck. 

Board  of  Registration— Alfred  E.  Austin,  Bernard 
C.  Feeney. 

Inspectors  of  Elections — Edward  M.  Lockwood, 
Bernard  Tully. 

City  Sheriff — Robert  N.  Morehouse. 

Board  of  Water  Commissioners — Clarence  B.  Cool- 
idge,  Frederick  Mead,  John  P.  Treadwell. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Council  held' on  the  first 
Monday  of  January,  1894,  the  following  elections  and 
appointments  were  made: — 

President  of  Council — John  A.  Osborn. 

City  Clerk  and  Corporation  Counsel — Edward  M. 
Lockwood. 

Health  Officer — Jarvis  Kellogg. 

Fire  Inspector — Frederick  E.  Lockwood. 

Commissioner  of  Streets  and  Sidewalks — Elbert  S. 
Adams. 

Board  of  Relief — William  F.  Acton,  Aurelius  J. 
Meeker,  Burr  Smith. 

Chief    Engineer    Fire    Department — J.    Thornton 


Prowitt ;  First  Assistant  Engineer,  F.  W.  Smith ;  Second 
Assistant  Engineer,  Thomas  S.  Osborne. 

James  T.  Hubbell  was  elected  Mayor  for  the  year 
1895,  Arthur  C.  Wheeler  for  the  years  1896  and  1897, 
and  the  present  efficient  and  deservedly  popular  Mayor, 
Charles  L.  Glover,  is  now  serving  the  City  as  its  Chief 
Magistrate  for  the  fourth  consecutive  year.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  complete  list  of  the  present  City  officials: — 

Mayor — Charles  L.  Glover. 

Councilmen  —  Frederick  Buckley,  Stephen  H. 
Holmes,  George  S.  Grumman,  Aurelius  J.  Meeker, 
Aaron  H.  Hoyt,  Alfred  Avison. 

City  Treasurer  and  Treasurer  of  the  Water  Fund — 
Henry  P.  Price. 

Tax  Collector — Frederick  Buckley. 

Auditor — Charles  E.  Curtis. 

City  Sheriff — Robert  N.  Morehouse. 

Members  of  Board  of  Registration — Alfred  E.  Aus- 
tin, Nicholas  Martin. 

Inspectors  of  Election — John  H.  Hoyt,  John  T. 
Hayes. 

Water  Commissioners — Thomas  S.  Stout,  Levi  C. 
Hanford,  Goold  S.  Hoyt. 

City  Clerk  and  Corporation  Counsel — J.  Belden 
Hurlbutt. 

President  of  the  Council — Frederick  Buckley. 

Fire  Inspector — George  H.  Allen. 

Superintendent  of  Streets,  Sidewalks  and  Sewers — 
Martin  Kellogg. 

City  Engineer — Charles  N.  Wood. 

Superintendent  of  Fire  Alarm — John  H.  Hoyt. 

Assessors — William  H.  Byington,  Goold  S.  Hoyt, 
Samuel  L.  Weed. 

Board  of  Relief— George  W.  Fitch,  William  A.  Am- 
bler, James  Sutherland. 

Board  of  Health— James  G.  Gregory,  M.  D.,  Walter 
Hitchcock,  M.  D.,  William  J.  Tracey,  M.  D.,  Frank  I. 
Jones,  Charles  N.  Arnold. 

Health  Officer— William  J.  Tracey,  M.  D. 

Sanitary  Inspector — Thomas  Hunt. 

Fire  Department — Chief  Engineer,  J.  Thornton 
Prowitt ;  First  Assistant  Engineer,  F.  W.  Smith ;  Second 
Assistant  Engineer,  Thomas  S.  Murray :  Secretary,  John 
Greenwood. 

Phoenix  Fire  Engine  Company,  No.  i— (Organized 
December  16,  1858.)  Captain,  A.  A.  Chinery,  Jr. ;  First 


309 


Lieutenant,  Smith  Northrop ;  Second  Lieutenant,  George 
Lockwood;  Treasurer,  Charles  A.  Burr;  Secretary,  Sam- 
uel Foster;  Engineer,  George  S.  Aiken;  Assistant  En- 
gineer, William  S.  Bartram. 

Hope  Hose  Company,  No.  2 — (Organized  in  spring 
of  1859  under  name  of  Phoenix  Hose  Company,  but 
changed  its  name  to  Hope  Hose  in  1877.  Re-organized 
April  18,  1894.)  Captain,  James  B.  Costdlo;  First 
Lieutenant,  James  H.  Magner;  Second  Lieutenant, 
James  Duffy ;  Treasurer,  Patrick  Slattery ;  Secretary,  Ed- 
ward Duffy. 

Pioneer  Hook  and  Ladder  Company — (Organized 
January  26,  1861.)  Captain,  Harry  C.  Mitchell;  First 
Lieutenant,  Peter  Stalter ;  Second  Lieutenant,  James 
Foster,  Treasurer,  Edwin  L.  Hoyt;  Secretary,  John  H. 
M.  Lowth. 

Norwalk  Fire  Police — (Organized  April  29,  1874.) 
President,  William  A.  Ambler;  Captain,  Aurelius  J. 
Meeker;  First  Sergeant,  J.  W.  Britto;  Second  Sergeant, 
Henry  Cornell ;  Treasurer,  Alfred  Avison ;  Secretary, 
Andrew  V.  Heath. 

Police  Department — Chief,  Thomas  Bradley ;  Pa- 
trolmen, Robert  N.  Morehouse,  William  S.  Bartram, 
John  H.  Kenny,  Thomas  Hunt;  Specials,  John  Valient, 
Gilbert  Horton,  Thomas  Leatherland. 

The  various  committees  of  the  Council  are  as  fol- 
lows:— 

Finance — Holmes,  Meeker,  Buckley. 

Lights — Grumman,  Hoyt,  Avison. 

Fire — Buckley,  Avison,  Grumman. 

Highways — Hoyt,   Buckley,  Holmes. 

Police — Meeker,  Holmes,  Hoyt. 

Sewers — Avison,  Grumman,  Meeker. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Councilmen 
of  the  City  of  Norwalk  since  its  incorporation: — 

John  A.  Osborn,  Walter  R.  Bates, 

Elbert  S.  Adams,  *George  B.  Gregory, 

Arthur  C.  Wheeler,  *John  Cotter, 
Eugene  L.  Boyer,  Aurelius  J.  Meeker, 

Alfred  A.  Chinnery,  Frederick  Buckley, 

J.  Arthur  Pinneo,  *  William  N.  Simons, 
William  H.  Smith,  Alfred  Avison, 

*Arthur  B.  Hill,  Aaron  H.  Hoyt, 

Charles  F.  Tristram,  Oliver  E.  Wilson, 

Harvey  M.  Kent,  Goold  S.  Hoyt, 

310 


Charles  A.  Burr,  Stephen  H.  Holmes, 

*Philo  W.  Bates,  George  S.  Grumman. 

'Deceased 

FINANCES. 

With  a  splendid  sewer  system,  good  highways,  and 
a  large  quantity  of  excellent  water,  the  City  of  Norwalk 
may  well  feel  proud  of  its  present  financial  condition. 

Its  bonded  indebtedness,  including  a  water  debt  of 
Two  Hundred  and  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars,  is  Five  Hun- 
dred Thousand  Dollars. 

Its  floating  debt,  according  to  the  Treasurer's  last 
annual  report,  is  $13,000.00.  Four  years  ago  its  floating 
debt  was  $33,351.08,  showing  a  reduction  in  that  period 
to  date  of  over  Twenty  Thousand  Dollars. 

Its  present  sinking  fund  is  $38,580.50,  of  which 
$2,000.00  was  added  in  September,  1901. 

The  last  completed  grand  list  was  $5,104,857,  which 
was  an  increase  of  over  $30,000.00  over  the  previous  year. 

LEO  DAVIS. 


311 


SOUTH  NORWALK  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 
AND    FREE    READING    ROOM 

OFFICERS. 

President — Abiathar  Blanchard. 

Vice-President — John  H.  Light. 

Secretary — John  J.  Cavanagh. 

Treasurer — William  C.  Foote. 

Directors— Dr.  G.  W.  Benedict,  R.  H.  Golden,  G.  S. 
North,  Col.  Leslie  Smith,  Isaac  S.  Jennings. 

Librarian — Angeline  Scott. 

Assistant  Librarian — Lillie  Gettler. 

Library  Hours — 9:30  a.  m.  to  I  p.  m. ;  2:15  to  5:45 
p.  m. ;  7  to  9  p.  m.  Sunday  afternoons,  2:30  to  5:30. 

HE  seed  contains  the  tree;  and,  in  giv- 
ing the  history  of  the  South  Norwalk 
Library  and  Free  Reading  Room,  we 
find  all  that  it  is  today  was  contained 
in  the  idea  of  its  founders  nearly  twen- 
ty-five years  ago.  At  a  meeting  of 
thirty  business  men,  held  in  the  Coun- 
cil Chamber  on  July  6,  1877,  called  at 
the  instance  of  a  few  public-spirited  citizens,  General 
Nelson  Taylor  presented  the  idea  of  founding  a  free  read- 
ing room.  He  said:  "A  public  reading  room,  out  of 
which  a  public  library  might  very  naturally  grow,  would 
add  greatly  to  the  attractions  of  our  city  and  offer  an 
additional  inducement  to  persons  seeking  a  place  of  resi- 
dence to  settle  among  us;  as  do  good  schools,  churches 
and  other  institutions  for  the  advancement  of  education, 
and  social  and  moral  culture."  The  sense  of  the  meet- 
ing was  that  a  free  reading  room  would  be  useful  and 
practicable  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  devise 
a  plan  and  means  for  executing  it,  consisting  of  E.  Hill, 
R.  H.  Golden,  C.  W.  Doty,  G.  S.  Kendall  and  Nelson 
Dickerman.  Their  report,  made  on  Nov.  17,  1877, 
recommended :  First — The  formation  of  a  corporation  ; 
Second — The  raising  of  a  fund  for  a  lot  and  the  erection 
of  a  building;  Third — The  establishment  of  an  income 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  institution.  The  idea  of  per- 
manence suggested  by  a  building,  the  committee  thought, 

312 


would  insure  more  liberal  contributions  from  the  public 
than  an  organization  which  occupied  rented  quarters. 
These  sound  and  practical  suggestions  were  accepted; 
and,  on  January  i,  1878,  the  South  Norwalk  Library  and 
Free  Reading  Room  Corporation  came  into  legal  exist- 
ence with  General  Nelson  Taylor  as  president,  E.  Hill 
vice-president,  and  C.  W.  Knudsen  treasurer.  Life 
membership  in  the  corporation  was  secured  by  paying 
an  annual  fee  of  $4.  The  first  librarian  of  the  corporation 
was  the  Rev.  James  M.  Taylor,  who  was  one  of  the 
active  promoters  of  the  library  and  reading  room  pro- 
ject. His  report  in  April,  1879,  tells  how  the  first  books 
were  obtained.  A  committee  consisting  of  the  librarian, 
John  W.  Scott  and  Nelson  Dickerman  was  appointed 
in  February,  1878,  to  solicit  gifts  of  books  from  the 
people  of  South  Norwalk.  A  circular  was  distributed 
which  stated  that  a  committee  would  call  at  every  house 
on  a  given  day  to  collect  the  books.  Over  500  volumes 
were  secured  in  this  way.  The  Woman's  Christian  Tem- 
perance Union  had  a  small  free  reading  room  in  the  Lane 
building  on  South  Main  street,  and  the  corporation  made 
an  arrangement  with  the  Union  to  have  the  books  placed 
temporarily  on  their  shelves  with  the  use  of  them  free  to 
all  visitors  to  the  room.  Members  of  the  corporation 
were  privileged  to  borrow  the  books  for  home  reading. 
The  annual  fee  was  reduced  to  $2  at  this  time.  In  March, 
1879,  the  treasurer  reported  $1,178  in  hand,  $225  of 
which  was  the  gift  of  the /'Home  Sociable  Club,"  which 
gave  a  dramatic  entertainment  for  the  benefit  of  the 
library.  Shortly  afterward  a  lot  was  purchased  on  Wash- 
ington street  for  $1,200.  A  committee  was  appointed  on 
June,  14,  1880,  to  devise  a  plan  for  a  building,  to  esti- 
mate its  cost  and  the  probable  income  to  be  derived  from 
tenants.  Meantime  efforts  were  made  to  raise  a  building 
fund.  A  fair,  organized  on  a  large  scale,  was  held  for 
one  week  during  May,  1881 ;  and,  though  the  weather 
was  "incomparably  bad,"  the  profits  amounted  to 
$1,702.83.  At  last,  in  March,  1885,  it  was  voted  to 
build  according  to  plans  submitted  by  Gen.  Taylor  in 
behalf  of  a  committee  consisting  of  himself,  T.  I.  Ray- 
mond and  C.  Swartz.  At  this  time  the  W.  C.  T.  U. 
reading  room  was  closed  and  the  books  were  stored  for 
six  months  in  the  basement  of  the  Baptist  church.  The 
library  building  contract  was  awarded  to  J.  R.  Raymond, 
and  $5,000  was  borrowed  by  mortgaging  the  corpora- 
tion's property.  The  report  of  A.  J.  Crofut,  treasurer, 


313 


showed  $2,384.75  on  hand.  After  the  building  was 
completed  at  a  cost  of  $7,643.15,  General  Taylor  sub- 
mitted the  report  of  the  building  committee  in  which 
he  said:  "The  plan  submitted  falls  very  far  short  of  the 
modern  idea  of  a  library  building,  but  the  limited  means 
of  the  association  were  such  as  to  render  the  idea  of 
erecting  such  a  building  as  is  now  thought  best  adapted 
for  library  purposes,  as  to  light,  air,  space,  etc.,  quite 
out  of  the  question,  our  committee  therefore  endeavored 
to  keep  within  the  means  of  the  corporation,  and  run 
no  risk  of  going  beyond  a  point  which  they  could  not 
clearly  see  their  way,  without  prejudice  to  a  substantial 
and  lasting  foundation  for  the  institution  to  rest  upon." 
The  building  was,  therefore,  a  plain  three-storied  busi- 
ness block  with  a  store  on  the  first  floor,  to  which  was 
annexed  a  one-story  addition  which  was  fitted  up  for  the 
Library  and  Reading  Room.  A  tenant  was  found  who 
took  the  store  at  $200  a  year,  with  the  agreement  to  fur- 
nish light  and  heat  and  to  take  care  of  the  room  and 
books,  which  solved  the  question  of  attendance.  The 
remainder  of  the  building  was  rented  to  other  tenants, 
resulting  in  an  income  of  $648  annually.  The  sagacious 
planning  which  brought  the  corporation's  affairs  to  this 
point  without  a  single  large  gift  as  a  nucleus  is  beyond 
all  praise.  Here  was  an  institution  started  without  a 
dollar  of  capital  or  a  single  book,  grown,  after  nine  years, 
into  a  corporation  owning  property  worth  about  $9,000, 
with  its  liabilities  well  in  hand  and  its  running  expenses 
provided  for.  The  building  was  formally  opened  on 
Sept.  30,  1885,  with  addresses  by  Nelson  Taylor.  Jr., 
president  of  the  corporation,  and  others,  and  music  by 
amateur  performers.  The  librarian,  George  S.  North, 
was  the  chairman  of  a  committee  to  furnish  the  room 
at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $200,  and  to  subscribe  for  peri- 
odicals not  to  exceed  $100,  together  with  C.  W.  Knud- 
sen  and  R.  H.  Golden.  The  annual  membership  fee 
was  reduced  to  one  dollar.  The  books  belonging  to 
the  corporation  were  removed  to  the  room  and  $200 
expended  for  new  books  chosen  by  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Nelson  Taylor,  Jr.,  G.  S.  North,  A.  Blanchard, 
Miss  M.  A.  Dibble,  Miss  M.  H.  Nash  and  Miss  Julia 
M.  Byxbee.  Members  of  the  corporation  were  invited 
to  name  the  books  they  desired  to  have  in  the  library 
and  most  of  the  books  asked  for  were  purchased,  be- 
sides those  selected  by  the  committee.  The  Mutual 
Improvement  Society,  of  which  Miss  M.  A.  Dibble  was 

814 


president,  presented  $200  worth  of  books  at  this  time, 
which  were  purchased  with  the  proceeds  of  lecture 
courses  given  under  the  management  of  that  society. 
Mrs.  C.  W.  Knudsen  gave  one  hundred  and  fifty  vol- 
umes, Gen.  Taylor  a  number  of  valuable  reference  books 
and  the  Misses  Dawson  over  a  hundred  novels.  When 
the  five  hundred  old  books  and  nearly  six  hundred  new 
ones  were  brought  together  in  the  new  reading  room 
the  task  of  arranging  and  cataloguing  them  confronted 
the  librarian  and  book  committee.  They  were  assisted 
in  their  labors  by  others,  who  gathered  for  several  hours 
every  day  for  weeks  to  write  cards  and  make  lists  and 
number  the  books,  in  order  to  make  the  catalogue  for 
one  thousand  and  sixty  books,  which  was  published  in 
1886  in  an  author  and  title  arrangement.  Mrs.  A. 
Blanchard,  P.  N.  Smith,  F.  A.  Smith,  Miss  M.  Taylor, 
Miss  Florence  Thompson,  R.  H.  Golden,  T.  I.  Ray- 
mond and  J.  I.  Dibble  were  among  these  workers.  In 
a  few  sentences  is  here  summed  up  months  of  unre- 
corded work  for  the  committee  who  had  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  library  in  charge.  In  January,  1887,  The 
Old  Well  Gander  Club  gave  a  ball  for  the  benefit  of 
the  library  which  resulted  in  a  gift  of  $550,  which  was 
devoted  to  the  purchase  of  books,  adding  nearly  five 
hundred  volumes  to  the  library,  and  a  supplement  to  the 
catalogue  was  printed  containing  the  Gander  Club 
books.  Since  that  time  no  catalogue  ha?  been  printed 
excepting  an  author  list  'of  the  entire  collection,  in 
the  form  of  a  supplement  to  the  "Evening  Sentinel," 
which  was  generously  printed  by  the  publisher,  James 
Golden,  in  1898.  A  card  catalogue  is  now  being  made. 
In  April,  1887,  the  annual  membership  fee  was  reduced 
to  $i.  The  increasing  use  of  the  library  by  the  people 
of  South  Norwalk  was  noted  in  the  reports  of  each 
month  by  the  librarian ;  and,  in  1890,  Mr.  North  asked 
the  corporation  if  the  time  had  not  come  to  make  it  a 
free  library.  With  characteristic  prudence,  a  commit- 
tee was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  City  Council  and 
consider  if  it  would  be  wise  to  offer  the  property  of 
the  corporation  to  the  city,  consisting  of  T.  I.  Ray- 
mond, Gen.  Nelson  Taylor  and  A.  Blanchard. 
North  and  other  members  of  the  corporation  addressed 
the  CQtmcil  at  various  meetings,  presenting  the  practical 
side  of  the  matter,  convincing  the  council  men  that 
was  an  advantageous  offer  to  the  city  of  the  means 
for  establishing  a  free  library.  After  these  prelimi- 

315 


naries  the  corporation  passed  a  resolution  framed  by 
General  Taylor  on  August  19,  1890,  as  follows: 

Whereas,  The  additional  accommodations  furnish- 
ed by  the  Library  and  Free  Reading  Room  Corpora- 
tion, which  the  increased  and  increasing  number  of  vis- 
itors seemed  to  demand,  has  so  largely  added  to  the 
cost  of  its  support  and  maintenance  as  to  cause  it  to 
become  a  burden  to  the  few  having  it  in  charge,  and 

Whereas,  The  Library  and  Reading  Room  was 
originally  intended  for  the  public  and  is  now  being  used 
entirely  by  it,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
that  the  City  Government  should  assume  its  care  and 
maintenance,  as  the  Statute  of  the  State  provides  that 
it  may  through  its  Mayor  and  City  Council.  Now, 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  a  deed  be  drawn,  conveying  the 
property  of  the  Library  Corporation  to  the  City, 
conditioned  that  the  City  shall  maintain  and  keep 
a  Free  Library  and  Reading  Room  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  its  citizens  in  consideration  of  said  convey- 
ance, and  failing  to  do  so,  to  return  to  the  Library 
Corporation  the  property  so  conveyed  in  as  good  con- 
dition as  now,  or  its  equivalent  in  money,  the  property 
being  appraised  at  the  sum  of  $12,000,  less  the  mortgage 
encumbrance,  $5,000. 

The  gift  was  accepted  by  a  city  meeting  on  De- 
cember 9th,  1890,  and  the  property  was  duly  trans- 
ferred to  the  City  of  South  Norwalk.  A  tax  of  one- 
quarter  of  a  mill  annually,  amounting  to  about  $1,300, 
to  $1,800  \vas  laid  for  its  support,  which  is  its  only  in- 
come at  the  present  time,  aside  from  about  $40  a  year 
from  non-resident  subscribers,  and  less  than  a  hundred 
from  fines  on  books  detained  over  the  allowed  time.  In 
1900  a  bequest  was  made  to  the  library  of  the  interest 
on  $1,000  by  Robert  H.  Rowan,  a  life  member  of  the 
old  corporation.  In  reviewing  the  history  of  the  library 
this  is  the  only  large  gift  of  money  disclosed,  though 
the  frequent  contributions  of  lesser  sums  in  times  of 
need  from  C.  W.  Knudsen  are  not  forgotten,  nor  the 
gifts  of  valuable  books  from  several  sources  overlooked. 
The  gift  of  one  hundred  juvenile  books  as  a  memorial 
to  Edwin  H.  Mathewson,  Jr.,  by  his  sister,  Jennette 
Mathewson,  in  September,  1901,  was  the  first  memorial 
gift  to  the  library,  affording  an  example  which  may 
result  in  similar  gifts  from  others.  The  personal  labors 
of  the  presidents  of  the  corporation,  Gen.  Taylor,  Jr., 

816 


and  A.  Blanchard,  and  of  E.  Hill,  C.  W.  Knudsen, 
George  S.  North,  T.  I.  Raymond,  C.  Swartz,  Edwin 
Wilcox,  R.  H.  Golden,  H.  I.  Smith,  John  H.  Light  and 
others  whose  names  appear  frequently  on  the  records 
of  the  corporation  as  officers  and  members  of  com- 
mittees, in  the  days  when  its  income  was  uncertain  and 
all  labor  for  it  that  of  disinterested  public  spirit,  can 
never  be  too  highly  valued.  When  the  library  was  re- 
organized as  a  city  department,  the  first  Board  of  Di- 
rectors was  appointed  by  Mayor  Edwin  Wilcox,  who 
had  been  himself  an  active  member  of  the  corporation, 
serving  for  a  number  of  years  as  its  secretary.  The 
board  consisted  of  Col.  Leslie  Smith,  A.  Blanchard,  W. 
B.  Reed,  T.  I.  Raymond,  C.  F.  Hallock,  R.  H.  Golden, 
Charles  Adams,  G.  S.  North,  J.  J.  Cavanagh.  C.  F. 
Hallock  was  elected  its  first  president  and  Miss  Ange- 
line  Scott  was  appointed  librarian,  dating  from  January 
3,  1891.  The  immediate  result  of  the  change  of  organ- 
ization was  an  increase  of  book-borrowers,  the  members 
being  quadrupled  in  the  first  month.  The  statistics  for 
the  last  year  of  the  corporation  with  paid  memberships 
at  $i  a  year,  were  4,988  books  loaned  and  20,885  visitors. 
In  June,  1892,  the  number  of  books  in  the  library  was 
2,123,  while  in  June,  1901,  4,546  books  were  reported. 
In  January,  1895,  Mr.  Hallock  resigned  from  the  Board 
of  Directors  to  take  a  seat  in  the  Common  Council 
and  he  was  succeeded  by  A.  Blanchard  as  president. 
From  the  beginning  the  reading  room  has  been  made  a 
leading  feature  of  the  institution ;  and,  when  the  corpora- 
tion opened  its  reading  room  in  1885,  three  daily,  twen- 
ty-one weekly  and  twelve  monthly  periodicals  were  pro- 
vided at  a  cost  of  $80.90,  a  large  appropriation  for  the 
income  at  that  time.  At  present  the  reading  room  is 
supplied  with  eight  daily,  twenty-five  weekly,  one  semi- 
weekly,  one  fortnightly,  and  thirty-one  monthly  period- 
icals, at  a  cost  of  $170.  Another  feature  emphasized 
has  been  reference  books,  as  far  as  the  means  of  the 
library  permitted.  The  Encyclopaedia  Britannica, 
Chambers'  and  Johnson's  Encyclopaedias,  Larned's 
History  for  Ready  Reference,  the  Standard  and  Century 
Dictionaries,  the  Appleton  Annual  Cyclopaedia,  Brad- 
ley's  and  Rand  and  McNally's  Atlases,  together  with 
useful  handbooks,  compendiums  and  almanacs  are  made 
accessible  on  shelves  near  the  reading  tables.  One  of 
the  first  gifts  to  the  library  after  it  was  made  free  was 
the  Century  Dictionary,  purchased  with  the  proceeds  of 

317 


a  New  Year's  tea  in  1891,  given  in  the  library  rooms  by 
the  wives  of  the  directors  and  other  interested  ladies. 
The  Jeypore  Portfolios  of  Architectural  Details,  con- 
taining several  hundred  carefully  reproduced  drawings 
especially  valuable  to  art  students  and  designers,  came 
to  the  library  as  a  gift  from  H.  R.  H.  the  Maharajah 
of  Jeypore,  India. 

The  periodicals  are  filed  for  reference,  some  of  them 
being  bound  for  circulation  in  volumes.  When  occa- 
sion has  offered  an  opportunity  for  an  exhibition  of 
pictures  without  expense  to  the  library  the  walls  of  the 
reading  room  have  been  brightened  by  artists'  draw- 
ings for  illustration,  etchings  and  lithographs,  art 
photographs,  travellers'  photographs  from  foreign  coun- 
tries, Japanese  prints  and  amateur  photographs.  Dur- 
ing Norwalk's  celebration  of  its  25Oth  anniversary  the 
library  had  a  collection  of  Norwalk  pictures  and  books 
on  exhibition.  One  local  industry  was  honored  by  an 
exhibition  in  1896,  consisting  of  the  oyster  and  its 
enemies  in  all  stages  of  growth,  loaned  to  the  library 
by  the  Connecticut  Shell  Fish  Commission. 

Lecture  courses  and  literary  societies  have  been 
promoted  by  the  officers  of  the  library.  The  Chautau- 
qua  Union  had  a  useful  existence  for  five  years  after 
its  organization  by  the  librarian,  with  Rev.  D.  M.  Sew- 
ard,  D.  D.,  as  its  inspiring  president.  The  South  Norwalk 
Improvement  Society  received  its  first  impetus  at  the 
library.  The  aims  of  the  South  Norwalk  Public  Library 
are  therefore  broad,  and  its  spirit  has  always  been  that 
of  a  desire  to  be  a  source  of  help  and  inspiration  to 
all  the  people  in  the  community.  It  stands  to-day 
facing  larger  public  demands  than  ever  before  from  a 
constituency  educated  to  look  to  the  library  for  the 
books  it  wishes  to  read,  and  its  needs  are  multiplied 
even  more  than  its  circulation  of  books  since  the  early 
days.  The  closing  paragraph  of  President  Blanchard's 
report  to  the  City  Council  fitly  expresses  the  library's 
present  outlook. 

"The  great  need  of  the  library  at  the  present  time 
is  more  money  for  the  purchase  of  books.  A  small 
increase  in  the  fund  available  for  this  purpose  would 
make  it  possible  to  purchase  books  urgently  called  for 
by  the  reading  public,  and  greatly  enhance  the  useful- 
ness of  the  library.  Under  these  conditions  the  gen- 
erous interest  of  some  friends  of  the  library  has  been 
much  appreciated.  The  benefactor  who  will  build  a 

318 


lasting  monument  for  himself  by  an  adequate  endow- 
ment of  the  public  library  has  not  yet  appeared  and 
that  golden  opportunity  is  still  open.  Meanwhile  citi- 
zens and  tax-payers  should  remember  that  such  bene- 
factors are  most  likely  to  help  those  who  help  them- 
selves and  to  bestow  their  gifts  on  communities  likely 
to  appreciate  and  make  good  use  of  them,  and  that,  in 
any  event,  the  public  library  is  an  institution  which,  like 
the  public  school,  is  worthy  of  their  support." 

TOWN    OF    NORWALK —VITAL    STATISTICS 


Year 

Births 

Marriages 

Deaths 

Population 

1840 

13. 

31 

69 

3,863 

1850 

1  06 

37 

6? 

1851 

147 

51 

89 

4,651 

1852 

179 

66 

87 

1854 

192 

64 

109 

1855 

224 

63 

127 

1856 

217 

74 

i  to 

1857 

221 

61 

129 

1858 

1  88 

52 

73 

1859 
1860 

264 
298 

12 

66 

118 
175 

7,652 

1861 

271 

58 

146 

tffa 

278 

77 

183 

1863 

207 

64 

M9 

1864 

220 

66 

150 

1865 

229 

78 

153 

1866 

278 

85 

155 

1867 

310 

93 

'97 

1868 

310 

97 

219 

1869 

34' 

107 

207 

1870 

357 

107 

213 

1871 

329 

"5 

3E 

12,1  IO 

1872 

334 

IOI 

263 

1873 

360 

81 

222 

1874 

325 

-  97 

221 

1875 

33° 

92 

238 

1876 

323 

73 

251 

1877 

271 

73 

251 

1878 

200 

64 

217 

1879 
1880 

273 
241 

u 

230 
226 

13,956 

1881 

282 

107 

247 

1882 

3<>3 

III 

248 

1883 

282 

89 

225 

1884 

304 

107 

233 

1885 
1886 

323 
338 

1X0 

124 

316 
238 

1887 

343 

143 

287 

1888 

374 

M9 

290 

1889 

18  1 

129 

266 

1890 
1891 

j 
423 
439 

146 
147 

3'7 

308 

17,747 

1892 
'893 
1894 
1895 

431 
461 
438 
406 

155 
153 
95 

326 

364 
362 

1896 
1897 

433 
446 

M3 
126 

3^6 

1898 

389 

117 

243 

1899 
1900 

349 
365 

125 
no 

290 

19,932 

ANGELINE  SCOTT,  Librarian. 

319 


PART  FIVE 

BENEVOLENT      ORDERS  —  MASONIC 

By  Augustus  C.  Golding. 

T.  John's  Lodge,  No.  6,  F.  &  A.  M, 
Norwalk,  was  instituted  by  virtue  of 
a  charter  granted  by  R.  W.  George 
Harrison,  Esq.,  Provincial  Grand 
Master  of  the  Most  Ancient  and  Hon- 
orable Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  in  the  Province  of  New  York 
in  America.  The  charter  is  dated 
May  23,  1765.  It  names  Bro.  Benjamin  Isaacs,  Mas- 
ter; Stephen  St.  John,  Senior  Warden;  and  Jehial 
Ketcham,  Junior  Warden  of  said  Lodge;  to  be  held  in 
Norwalk  only,  and  that  until  such  time  as  a  Grand 
Master  shall  be  appointed  for  the  Colony  of  Connecticut. 
This  charter  is  still  in  the  possession  ot  the  Lodge. 
The  oldest  record  of  a  meeting  is  dated  Sept.  8, 
1779,  and  was  held  at  the  house  of  Brother  John  Betts, 
(now  the  Congregational  parsonage,  Norwalk).  There 
were  present  at  this  meeting  Ebenezer  Whitney,  Mas- 
ter, P.  T. ;  Stephen  Thatcher,  Senior  Warden,  P.  T. ; 
Mathew  Reed,  Junior  Warden,  P.  T. ;  Samuel  Burrall, 
Secretary ;  Timothy  Whitney  Tyler,  Zabulon  Williams, 
John  Ritch,  Daniel  Jackson,  Eleazor  Scott  and  Dunlap 
Coggeshal. 

The  records  previous  to  the  above  are  supposed 
to  have  been  lost  by  the  burning  of  the  Town  about  two 
months  before  this  meeting. 

The  first  election  of  officers  on  the  records  is  dated 
February  17,  1780,  when  Stephen  St.  John  was  elected 
Master.  The  fee  for  initiation  was  fixed  at  two  hundred 
Continental  dollars,  anl  ten  dollars  for  the  Tyler. 

June  i,  1780,  voted:  This  Lodge,  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  captivity  of  Brother  Ebenezer  Whitney, 
have  thereupon  voted  out  of  the  funds  of  this  Lodge 
four  hundred  dollars  for  his  release,  in  case  it  is  needed. 
Previous  to  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Connecticut,  the  several  Lodges  in  Fairfield  County 
held  quarterly  conventions. 

The  Lodge  was  represented  at  a  meeting  held  in 
New  Haven,  I4th  of  January,  1784,  when  the  first  Grand 

380 


Master  was  elected ;  but  was  not  when  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  formed  in  1789,  but  soon  after  arfiiliated  with  it  and 
received  a  new  charter,  and  at  the  renumbering  of  the 
Lodges  in  1796,  according  to  seniority,  was  numbered 
6.  It  has  continued  in  active  existence  to  the  present 
time,  its  doors  not  having  been  closed  during  the  Anti- 
Masonic  excitement,  1828-1835.  In  May,  1865,  the 
Lodge  celebrated  its  centennial.  There  was  a  large 
gathering  of  distinguished  Masons  and  brethren  from 
other  lodges. 

The  consent  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  6,  has  been 
given  to  form  the  following  lodges:  Jerusalem,  No. 
49,  of  Ridgefield,  in  1808 ;  Temple,  No.  65,  of  Westport, 
in  1824 ;  Harmony,  No.  67,  of  New  Canaan,  in  1825 ; 
and  Old  Well,  No.  108,  in  South  Norwalk,  in  1868 ;  the 
last  having  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  St.  John's,  No. 
6. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  brethren  who  have  held 
the  office  of  Worshipful  Master  in  St.  John's  Lodge,  No. 
6,  from  its  organization  in  1765  until  the  present  time: 

Benjamin  Isaacs,  u  years;  Stephen  St.  John,  6; 
Ebenezer  Whitney,  3 ;  David  Lambert,  3 ;  Matthew 
Reed,  5 ;  Samuel  Burrall,  i ;  Jonathan  Knight,  10,  Isaac 
S.  Isaacs,  I ;  Phineas  Miller,  2 ;  Taylor  Sherman,  i ; 
Josiah  Thatcher,  2 ;  William  M.  Betts,  i ;  Moses  Greg- 
ory, i;  Daniel  Church,  i;  William  J.  Street,  4;  Joseph 
Keeler,  5  ;  William  G.  Betts,  i ;  Stephen  Smith,  2 ;  Henry 
Selleck,  2;  Philo  Price,  4;  Asa  E.  Smith,  4;  James 
Stevens,  n  ;  Henry  W.  Smith,  5 ;  George  F.  Daskam,  i ; 
John  A.  McLean,  i ;  Dimon  Fanton,  i ;  Eli  K.  Street,  i ; 
William  D.  Camp,  i ;  Samuel  Lynes,  M.  D.,  2;  William 
W.  Storey,  i ;  Thomas  B.  Butler,  i ;  Asa  Smith,  i ;  F.  St. 
John  Lockwood,  i ;  Edward  P.  Weed,  i ;  Albert  H.  Wil- 
coxson,  i ;  Alfred  H.  Camp,  6;  John  H.  Aiken,  i ;  Levi 
Warner,  Jr.,  i ;  Clauge  Gnthrie,  i ;  James  W.  Storey,  3 ; 
Theodore  Wilcox,  i ;  Isaac  Church,  Jr.,  i ;  David  Pol- 
lard, i ;  Augustus  C.  Golding,  3 ;  Jesse  Pollard,  i ;  Mark 
Harris,  i ;  G.  Ward  Selleck,  i ;  Daniel  C.  Nash,  i ;  John 
Cotter,  2;  John  H.  Lee,  3:  Charles  W.  Many,  2;  Brain- 
erd  W.  Maples,  I ;  Frederick  Mead,  2 ;  Arthur  C. 
Wheeler,  2 ;  John  H.  Wade,  i ;  Edgar  N.  Sloan,  2 ;  Har- 
vey M.  Kent,  i ;  Samuel  H.  Huntington,  i ;  George  E. 
Curtis. 

Of  the  above  George  F.  Daskam  and  Asa  Smith 
have  been  Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut. 

an 


Old  Well  Lodge,  No.  108,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organ- 
ized under  a  dispensation  granted  by  M.  W.  William 
Storer,  Grand  Master  of  Masons,  July  27,  1868,  and  re- 
ceived a  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  May  12,  1869. 
The  charter  members  were:  Theodore  Wilcox,  W.  M.; 
Samuel  Comstock,  S.  W. ;  Frederick  A.  Kayser,  J.  W. ; 
Chester  F.  Tolles,  Treasurer;  William  S.  Knapp,  Sec- 
retary; George  W.  Knight,  S.  D.,  and  William  B.  Reed, 
J.  D.  The  place  of  meeting  is  in  Washington  street, 
South  Norwalk. 

Old  Well  Lodge  has  been  prosperous  from  the  be- 
ginning and  now  numbers  193  members. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  brethren  who  have  held 
the  office  of  Worshipful  Master  in  Old  Well  Lodge, 
No.  108,  from  its  organization  in  1868  until  the  present 
time: 

Theodore  Wilcox,  Samuel  Comstock,  George  W. 
Knight,  Robert  M.  Wilcox,  William  H.  Raymond, 
Thaddeus  Guyer,  George  W.  Smith,  John  W.  Bogardus, 
James  M.  Warden,  R.  Eugene  Kinney,  William  P. 
Beers,  J.  Albert  McGinnis,  John  J.  Nash,  Charles  J. 
Palmer,  Edward  K.  Diver,  Jay  Simons,  Leo  Davis  and 
Chester  F.  Clark. 


ROYAL  ARCH  MASONRY. 

Washington  Chapter,  No.  24,  R.  A.  M.,  was  char- 
tered by  the  M.  E.  Grand  Chapter  of  Connecticut,  on 
the  loth  day  of  May,  1827,  to  be  holden  in  the  Town  of 
Norwalk,  and  named  Companions  Henry  Selleck  to  be 
first  High  Priest;  Phineas  Miller,  first  King,  and  Ste- 
phen Smith  to  be  first  Scribe,  most  of  the  members  of 
this  new  Chapter  had  been  members  of  Rittenhouse 
Chapter,  No.  n,  which  had  held  its  convocation  in  Nor- 
walk and  Stamford,  and  which  from  that  time  held  its 
meetings  in  Stamford.  Shortly  after  starting  out  in 
life  Washington  Chapter  met  the  wave  of  anti-masonry 
which  for  many  years  retarded  its  progress  but  it  sur- 
vived all  persecutions,  and  to-day  continues  its  work 
commenced  more  than  seventy  years  ago.  How  strong 
the  anti-masonic  storm  was  may  be  judged  from  the 
fact  that  no  new  Chapter  was  chartered  after  Washing- 
ton, No.  24,  until  May,  1851,  a  period  of  twenty-four 
years. 


Washington  Chapter  has  always  held  its  meetings 
in  the  hall  of  St.  Johns  Lodge,  No.  6. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Companions  who  have 
held  the  office  of  M.  E.  High  Priest  in  Washington 
Chapter,  No.  24,  from  its  organization  in  1827  until  the 
present  time: 

Henry  Selleck,  Phineas  Miller,  William  J.  Street, 
Elijah  Gregory,  James  Stevens,  Edwin  Hoyt,  John  A. 
McLean,  George  F.  Daskam,  Samuel  Lynes,  M.  D., 
William  W.  Storey,  Asa  Smith,  Albert  H'  Wilcoxson, 
Edward  P.  Weed,  Stephen  Merrill,  Augustus  C.  Gold- 
ing,  Robert  M.  Wilcox,  George  W.  Smith,  William  A. 
Sammis,  William  Randel  Smith,  Joseph  T.  Rice,  George 
Ward  Selleck,  Wallace  Dann,  James  M.  Warden,  Theo- 
dore E.  Smith,  Elmer  J.  Fairchild,  David  Pollard,  Far- 
ron  S.  Betts,  Samuel  H.  Huntington,  George  E.  Curtis, 
Arthur  C.  Wheeler.  Companion  Asa  Smith  has  held 
the  office  of  M.  E.  Grand  High  Priest  for  the  State  of 
Connecticut. 


Butler  Chapter,  No.  38,  R.  A.  M.,  was  organized 
under  a  dispensation  granted  in  December,  1873,  and 
Chartered  May  12,  1874.  Charter  members,  Robert 
M.  Wilcox,  M.  E.  H.  P. ;  George  W.  Smith,  E.  K. ;  Wil- 
liam B.  Reed,  E.  S.;  W.  H.  Raymond,  C.  of  H.;  Joseph 
R.  Raymond,  P.  S. ;  Riston  A.  Brewer,  R.  A.  C. ;  Henry 
D.  Fox,  M.  3  V.;  Theodore  Wilcox,  M.  2  V.;  Charles 
B.  Dake,  M.  ist  V.;  William  Goodwin,  Tyler;  John  E. 
Smith,  Treas.;  John  W.  Craw,  Secretary. 

Butler  Chapter  holds  its  Convocations  in  the  hall 
of  Old  Well  Lodge,  No.  108.  It  has  prospered  since  its 
institution,  and  now  has  106  members. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Companions  who  have 
held  the  office  of  High  Priest  in  Butler  Chapter,  No.  38, 
from  its  organization  in  1873  until  the  present  time: 
Robert  W.  Wilcox,  1873-4-5-6-7-8-9;  George  W.  Smith, 
1880;  Thadderts  Guyer.  1881-2-3-4-5-8-9;  John  W.  Bo- 
gardus,  1886-7;  William  H.  Raymond,  1890;  William 
P.  Beers,  1891-2-3-4;  Peter  Decker,  1895-6-7-8;  J.  Al- 
bert McGinnis,  1899;  Charles  J.  Palmer,  1900-01. 


KNIGHTS  TEMPLARS. 

Clinton  Commandery,  No.    3,    Knights-Templars, 
was  instituted  by  virtue  of  a  Dispensation  issued  by  De- 


Witt  Clinton,  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  Knights  Templars,  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  dated  Feb.  Qth,  1827,  and  it  was  located  in  the  town 
of  Washington,  Litchfield  County,  the  first  Eminent 
Commander  being  Daniel  B.  Brinsmade. 

The  Commandery  was  started  with  eleven  Charter 
members,  and  created  seventeen  Knights  in  about  one 
year.  It  was  one  of  the  three  Commanderies  which 
formed  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Connecticut  in  1827, 
its  Eminent  Commander  being  the  third  officer  of  that 
body. 

The  wave  of  Anti-Masonry  soon  checked  its  pro- 
gress, and  in  1847  it  was  removed  to  Norvvalk,  the  two 
Knights  living  here,  Henry  W.  Smith  and  Edwin  Hoyt, 
with  John  W.  Leeds  of  Stamford  affiliated  with  it,  and 
four  Knights  being  created  by  the  Grand  Officers,  one 
of  them,  James  Stevens,  was  elected  Eminent  Com- 
mander, and  from  that  time  it  has  prospered.  Its  juris- 
diction then  extended  over  the  counties  of  Fairfield  and 
Litchfield.  In  1855  permission  was  given  to  form  Ham- 
ilton Commandery,  No.  5,  of  Bridgeport,  and  the 
jurisdiction  was  divided  between  them.  In  1870  per- 
mission was  given  to  form  Crusader  Commandery,  No. 
10,  of  Danbury,  and  all  of  the  territory  north  of,  and 
including  the  town  of  Ridgefield,  was  given  to  Crusader, 
No.  10. 

Clinton  Commandery  has  always  held  its  stated 
conclaves  since  it  was  located  in  Norwalk  in  the  hall 
of  St.  Johns  Lodge,  and  on  the  first  Friday  of  the 
month. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Sir  Knights  who  have  held 
the  office  of  Eminent  Commander  of  Clinton  Command- 
ery from  its  organization  in  1827  until  the  present  time: 
Daniel  B.  Brinsmade,  James  Stevens,  George  F.  Das- 
kam,  William  W.  Storey,  Asa  Smith,  David  M.  Lane, 
Augustus  C.  Golding,  James  W.  Storey,  David  Pollard, 
Edwin  Hoyt,  George  Ward  Selleck,  Dwight  Waugh, 
Levi  C.  Hanford,  Wallace  Dann,  Christian  Swartz, 
George  W.  Raymond,  Henry  M.  Cooley,  Frank  Street, 
J.  Belden  Hurlbutt,  Charles  E.  Dow,  Elmer  J.  Fairchild, 
Charles  N.  Wood,  Peter  Decker,  Arthur  C.  Wheeler, 
Farron  S.  Betts,  Ferdinand  B.  Smith.  The  following 
have  held  the  office  of  Grand  Master  or  Grand  Com- 
mander of  Knights  Templars  in  the  State  of  Connecti- 
cut: John  A.  McLean,  George  F.  Daskam,  William  W. 
Storey,  Augustus  C.  Golding,  Christian  Swartz. 

394 


All  organizations  of  every  kind  were  invited  by  circular 
and  also  in  the  local  papers  to  furnish  statistics  for  this  de- 
partment, and  if  any  society  is  omitted  it  is  because  its  sec- 
retary did  not  respond. — Ed. 


GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC 

UCKINGHAM  POST,  No.  12,  Dep't. 
of  Connecticut;  Date  of  organization, 
Feb.  25,  1880.  Number  of  members, 
85.  Objects  of  the  organization — 
We,  the  soldiers  and  sailors,  and  hon- 
orably discharged  soldiers  and  sailors 
of  the  Army,  Navy  and  Marine  Corps 
of  the  United  States,  who  have  con- 
sented to  this  Union,  having  aided  in  maintaining  the 
honor,  integrity  and  supremacy  of  the  National  Govern- 
ment during  the  late  Rebellion,  do  unite  to  establish  a 
permanent  association  for  the  objects  hereinafter  set 
forth: 

The  objects  to  be  accomplished  by  this  organization 
are  as  follows: 

1.  To  preserve  and    strengthen    those    kind    and 
fraternal  feelings  which  bind  together  the  soldiers,  sai- 
lors and  marines  who  united  to  suppress  the  late  Rebel- 
lion, and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  and  history  of  the 
dead. 

2.  To  assist  such  former  comrades  in  arms  as  need 
help  and  protection,  and  to  extend  needful  aid  to  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  have  fallen. 

3.  To    maintain    true    allegiance    to    the    United 
States  of  America,  based  upon  a  paramount  respect  for, 
and  fidelity  to,  its  Constitution  and  Laws;   to  discoun- 
tenance whatever  tends  to  weaken  loyalty,    incites    to 
insurrection,  treason  or    rebellion,    or  in    any    manner 
impairs  the  efficiency  and  permanency  of  our  free  insti- 
tutions;   and    to    encourage   the   spread   of   universal 
liberty,  equal  rights  and  justice  to  all  men. 

Officers — Commander,  Fletcher  Pierce ;  Senior 
Vice-Commander,  John  F.  Lovejoy ;  Junior  Vice-Com- 
mander, Jarvis  Kellogg;  Adjutant,  Wm.  A.  Kellogg; 
Quartermaster,  James  H.  Hoyt;  Surgeon,  Horace  G. 
Burr;  Chaplain,  Wm.  A.  Ambler;  Officer  of  the  Day, 
Nicholas  Kline;  Officer  of  the  Guard,  Alfred  A.  Chin- 
erv;  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Henry  M.  Stanton. 

336 


BUCKINGHAM  WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS,  No. 

30,  DEP'T.  OF  CONN.,  AUXILIARY  TO  THE 

GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Section  i.  To  spe- 
cially aid  and  assist  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  their  heroic  dead. 

Sec.  2.  To  assist  such  Union  veterans  as  need  our 
help  and  protection,  and  to  extend  needful  aid  to  their 
widows  and  orphans.  To  find  them  homes  and  employ- 
ment, and  assure  them  of  sympathy  and  friends.  To 
cherish  and  emulate  the  deeds  of  our  army  nurses,  and 
of  all  loyal  women  who  rendered  loving  service  to  our 
country  in  her  hour  of  peril. 

Sec.  3.  To  maintain  true  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  of  America;  to  inculcate  lessons  of  patriotism 
and  love  of  country  among  our  children  and  in  the 
communities  in  which  we  live;  and  encourage  the 
spread  of  universal  liberty  and  equal  rights  to  all. 

Date  of  organization — Dec.  19,  1887. 

Number  of  Members — 64. 

President,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Fairchild;  Senior  Vice- 
President,  Mrs.  Clarissa  B.  Bates;  Junior  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Delia  A.  Wilcoxson;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Emily 
Alice  Pelton ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Reynolds ; 
Chaplain,  Mrs.  Sophronia  P.  Perry;  Conductor,  Mrs. 
Ella  Faulds ;  Assistant  Conductor,  Mrs.  Kate  Shre- 
wood  ;  Guard,  Mrs.  Ann  M.  Canfield  ;  Assistant  Guard, 
Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Kellogg;  First  Color  Bearer,  Mrs.  Rose 
Hoskins ;  Second  Color  Bearer,  Mrs.  Emma  J.  Robin- 
son ;  Third  Color  Bearer,  Mrs.  Ada  Byington ;  Fourth 
Color  Bearer,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Decker. 

DOUGLAS  FOWLER  POST,  GRAND  ARMY  OF 
THE  REPUBLIC. 

Objects. — A  social  organization  of  veterans  of  the 
Civil  War. 

Date  of  Organization. — Oct.  13,  1879. 

Members. — 300  on  its  roll ;  present  number,  70. 

Present  Officers. — Commander,  Caleb  Wood;  Sen- 
ior Vice-Commander,  Frederick  A.  Arnold;  Junior 
Vice-Commander,  Hiram  F.  Brundage ;  Chaplain,  Ste- 
phen R.  Wilcox;  Surgeon,  Gould  Saunders ;  Officer  of 
the  Day,  Frederick  Keating ;  Officer  of  the  Guard,  John 
Grant ;"  Adjutant,  D.  P.  Morrell ;  Sergeant-Major,  J.  H. 
Stevens;  Quartermaster-Sergeant,  R.  J.  Jamerson. 

387 


DOUGLAS  FOWLER  WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS, 

No.  15. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  assist  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  25th,  1885. 

Number  of  Members. — 22. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Rachel  A.  Keeler ; 
Senior  Vice-President,  Lizzie  Delehenty  :  Junior  Vice- 
President,  Minnie  S.  Wood;  Secretary,  Jennette  E. 
Webb ;  Treasurer,  Fannie  J.  Joyce ;  Chaplain,  Eliza- 
beth A.  Mitchel;  Conductor,  Annie  M.  Brotherton ; 
First  Color  Bearer,  Annie  E.  Buttery ;  Second  Color 
Bearer,  Mary  E.  Hendrick;  Third  Color  Bearer,  Angie 
A.  Brown;  Fourth  Color  Bearer,  Lizzie  A.  Brotherton. 


THE  O.  S.  FERRY  COMMAND,  UNION  VET- 
ERANS UNION,  No.  7,  DEP'T.  OF  CONN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Social  body  of  the 
veterans  of  the  Civil  War  and  beneficial,  to  look  after 
the  sick  and  bury  the  dead. 

Date  of  Organization. — January,  1884. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty-eight  members  in 
good  standing. 

Present  Officers. — Colonel,  C.  H.  Jimmerson; 
Lieut.-Col.,  Frank  Seymour;  Major,  James  La'Hom- 
medieu;  Surgeon,  J.  B.  Wheeler;  Adjutant,  G.  S. 
North;  Quartermaster,  Norman  HatcrTmin. 


THE  NORWALK  CHAPTER,  DAUGHTERS  OF 
THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — "The  object  of  this 
Chapter  shall  be  to  honor  the  heroic  men  and  women 
of  the  Revolution,  especially  to  ascertain  and  preserve 
the  names  of  such  heroic  men  and  women  as  lived  in 
Norwalk,  and  to  use  all  available  means  to  cultivate  a 
spirit  of  patriotism  in  the  rising  generation  and  to  carry 
out  in  general  the  purposes  of  the  National  Society." — 
By-Laws  of  the  Chapter. 

838 


Date  of  Organization. — December  16,  1892. 

Number  of  Members. — Number  enrolled,  160;  pre- 
sent membership,  128. 

Present  Officers.— Regent,  Mrs.  Samuel  Richards 
Weed;  Vice-Regent,  Mrs.  George  H.  Noxon;  Regis- 
trar, Mrs.  Robert  Van  Buren;  Recording  Secretary, 
Mrs.  Lester  Hyatt;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Kate  Palmer  Hunter;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Edwards  G. 
Wilkinson;  Historian,  Miss  Arigeline  Scott;  Curator, 
Miss  Sarah  F.  Lewis:  Advisory  Committee — Mrs. 
James  L.  Stevens,  Mrs.  Jabez  Backus,  Mrs.  Charles 
Dennis,  Mrs.  Charles  W.  Shelton,  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Nay- 
lor;  Honorary  Vice-Regents,  Mrs.  E.  J.  Hill  and  Mrs. 
Thomas  K.  Noble. 


THE    CONNECTICUT    CHAPTER    OF    THE 

DAUGHTERS    OF    FOUNDERS    AND 

PATRIOTS    OF    AMERICA. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Section  i.  To 
associate  congenial  women  whose  ancestors  struggled 
together  for  life,  liberty,  home  and  happiness  in  this 
land  when  it  was  a  new  and  unknown  country,  and 
whose  lines  of  descent  come  through  patriots  who  sus- 
tained the  Colonies  in  the  struggle  for  independence 
in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Sec.  2.  To  teach  reverent  regard  for  the  names 
and  history,  character,  deeds  and  heroism  of  the 
founders  of  this  country  and  their  patriotic  descendants 
and  to  inculcate  patriotism  in  the  present  and  succeed- 
ing generations. 

Sec.  3.  To  discover  and  preserve  family  records 
and  history  otherwise  unwritten  and  unknown,  of  the 
first  Colonists,  their  ancestors  and  descendants. 

Sec.  4.  To  commemorate  events  of  the  history  of 
the  Colonies  and  of  the  Republic,  and  in  times  of  war 
to  obtain  and  forward  supplies  for  field  hospitals. 

Sec.  5.  To  meet  together  for  debate  on  current 
events,  criticism  of  books,  historical  purposes,  and  for 
social  enjoyment. 

Date  of  Organization. — National  Society,  June  7, 
1898;  Connecticut  Chapter,  June  4,  1901. 

Number  of  Members. — Nineteen. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  T.  K.  Noble; 

329 


Vice-President,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Shelton ;  Recording  Secre- 
tary, Mrs.  J.  B.  Gerard ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Frederick  Belden  ;  Treasurer,  Miss  Cornelia  Pomeroy  ; 
Registrar,  Mrs.  Robert  Van  Buren ;  Historian,  Mrs. 
H.  N.  Perry;  Chaplain,  Mrs.  Jabez  Backus;  Color 
Bearer,  Mrs.  Chas.  W.  Rockwell. 


THE  NORWALK  HISTORICAL  AND   MEMOR- 
IAL LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — For  the  promotion 
and  encouragement  of  historical,  antiquarian  and  genea- 
logical investigation  relating  to  said  town. 

Date  of  Organization. — October  5,  if 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — President,  F.  St.  John  Lock- 
wood;  Vice-President,  J.  H.  Ferris;  Secretary,  Samuel 
R.  Weed;  Treasurer,  John  P.  Treadwell;  Curator, 
Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck;  Executive  Committee,  F.  St.  John 
Lockwood,  Samuel  R.  Weed,  Rev.  C.  M.  Selleck,  Frank 
A.  Ferris,  John  P.  Treadwell,  Robert  Van  Buren,  Nellie 
S.  (Mrs.  S.  R.)  Weed. 


THE  CENTRAL  CLUB  OF  NORWALK. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — The  object  of  this 
club  is  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  women  of  Norwalk, 
and  to  provide  a  central  meeting  place  for  the  Woman's 
Clubs  of  the  town  of  Norwalk. 

Date  of  organization. — February  25th,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  ten. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  Charles  Dennis ; 
Vice-Presidents,  Mrs.  H.  H.  Barroll,  Mrs.  James 
Glynn  Gregory,  Mrs.  Frederick  Belden,  Mrs.  W.  D. 
Vernam ;  Secretary,  Mrs.  George  Washington  Cram ; 
Treasurer,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Lyon,  Jr. 


WOMAN'S  CLUB  OF  NORWALK. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  form  an  organ- 
ized center  for  the  intelluctual  culture  of  its  members. 


380 


Date  of  Organization. — January,  1885. 

Number  of  Members. — Two  honorary  members, 
twenty-five  active  members. 

Present  Officers.— President,  Mrs.  I.  S.  Jennings; 
Vice-President,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Shelton;  Secretary,  Mrs 
A.  B.  Hill ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  L.  O.  Coolidge. 


FRIDAY  AFTERNOON  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — An  organized  center 
for  the  literary  culture  of  its  members. 

Date  of  Organization. — October,  1890. 

Number  of  Members. — Sixty. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  C.  A.  Tucker; 
Vice-President,  Miss  Helen  Ferris;  Secretary,  Miss 
Sadie  Dibble ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  H.  N.  Dunning. 


THE  NORWALK  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — (Copied  from  Sec- 
tion 2  of  the  Act  of  Incorporation.) — The  purposes  and 
objects  shall  be  to  establish  and  maintain  in  Norwalk  a 
club-house,  buildings  and  grounds,  for  the  maintenance 
of  a  library,  art  gallery,  reading-room  and  gymnasium, 
for  the  mutual  pleasure,  profit  and  usefulness  of  its 
members,  and  by  means  of  social  and  business  meetings 
and  by  discussion,  lectures' and  other  lawful  expedients, 
to  develop  a  healthy  public  sentiment  respecting  the 
social,  intellectual,  sanitary  and  commercial  needs  and 
interests  of  Norwalk. 

Date  of  Organization. — March  I,  1887. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  forty. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Henry  W.  Gregory; 
Vice-President,  Charles  F.  Tristram;  Secretary,  Sey- 
mour Curtis;  Treasurer  and  Collector,  Charles  E. 
Curtis;  Directors — James  G.  Gregory,  George  M. 
Holmes,  Joseph  C.  Randle,  Henry  P.  Price,  William 
C.  Baur,  Harvey  M.  Kent,  Robert  S.  Van  Buren,  Wil- 
liam M.  Betts;  Council— Horace  E.  Dann,  George  B. 
Buxton,  John  .P.  Treadwell,  Edward  Meeker,  George  L. 
Woodward,  Louis  W.  Leonard,  Allen  G.  Betts,  Frank 
A.  Van  Buren,  Winfield  H.  Baldwin,  D.  Warren  Fitch, 
Fred'k  A.  Lockwood,  Fred'k  A.  Ellis;  Auditors- 
Samuel  Lynes,  Chester  S.  Selleck. 

331 


THE  SOUTH  NORWALK 


CLUB. 


Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  maintain  a  Club- 
House  with  reading  rooms,  billiard  room  and  gymna- 
sium. 

Date  of  Organization. — March  3Oth,  1898. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — President,  John  H.  Ferris;  Vice- 
President,  James  Golden;  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
Fred'k  H.  Quintard. 

THE  CATHOLIC  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Social  intercourse 
amongst  its  members;  to  provide  them  with  the  con- 
venience of  a  club-house,  and  to  afford  them  an  oppor- 
tunity for  moral,  intellectual  and  physical  improvement. 

Date  of  Organization. — Januaray,  1897. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — Moderator,  Rev.  J.  J.  Furlong ; 
President,  Dr.  W.  J.  Tracey ;  Vice-President,  Dr.  T.  J. 
Clune;  Treasurer,  Wm.  J.  Howard;  Secretary,  E.  J. 
Finnegan. 


THE  NORWALK  YACHT  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  encourage  and 
promote  the  sport  of  yachting. 

Date  of  Organization. — 1894. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  fifteen, 
Oct.  i,  1901. 

Present  Officers. — Commodore,  Clarence  F.  Os- 
born ;  Vice-Commodore,  A.  E.  Chasmar ;  Rear  Com- 
modore, Hubert  E.  Bishop;  Treasurer,  Howard  H. 
Mossman ;  Secretary,  Geo.  E.  Curtis ;  Governing  Com- 
mittee— The  above  five  officers,  ex-officio,  and  Messrs. 
Samuel  Lynes,  Albert  Mossman,  Wm.  H.  Palmer  and 
Edw.  E.  Gorham. 


THE  NORWALK  GOLF  CLUB. 
(Corporation.) 

Object  of  Organization. — Its  object  shall  be  to  pro- 
mote the  game  of  golf  and  other  outdoor  sports,  and  to 


provide  for  its  members  the  means  for  enjoyment  of  the 
same,  exercising  all  the  rights  under,  arid  subject  at  all 
times  to,  the  Statute  Laws  of  the  State  of  Connecticut 
relative  to  such  corporations. 

Date  of  Organization. — Articles  of  Association 
signed,  and  Club  incorporated  October  i6th,  1899. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven. 

Present  Officers  (September,  1901). — President, 
Robert  Van  Buren ;  Vice-President,  Edward  M.  Lock- 
wood  ;  Secretary,  Frederick  A.  Hill :  Treasurer,  Albert 
Mossman;  Captain,  Chester  Selleck;  Directors — The 
above-named  officers  and  Philip  N.  Knapp,  Reed  G. 
Haviland,  Charles  Edwards  Miller,  Lewis  C.  Green, 
Victor  S.  Selleck. 


PINE  LEDGE  OUTING  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Recreation,  sociabil- 
ity and  mutual  enjoyment. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  27th,  1894. 

Number  of  Members. — Sixty-four. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Robert  Van  Buren; 
Vice-President,  E.  L.  Boyer ;  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
H.  P.  Price. 


KNOB  OUTING  CLUB. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  form  an  organi- 
zation of  ladies  and  gentlemen  for  the  purpose  of 
amusement  and  recreation. 

Date  of  Organization. — October  xoth,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — Two  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Richard  H.  Golden; 
Vice-President,  Edwin  H.  Mathewson ;  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  F.  H.  Quintard. 


ARION  SINGING  SOCIETY. 

Objects  of  the    Organization.— To    cultivate    the 
German  language  and  song. 

Date  of  Organization. — November  3,  1885. 

m 


Number  of  Members. — Sixty-eight. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Charles  Schaub ; 
Vice-President,  Herman  Malmo ;  Recording  Secretary, 
Henry  Kriete;  Financial  Secretary,  Gustave  Koncour; 
Treasurer,  Henry  Froeb ;  Trustees — Jacob  Schaub,  Paul 
Berg,  August  Roettcher. 


THE  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION 
OF  THE  NORWALKS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — "The  object  shall  be 
the  spiritual,  intellectual,  social  and  physical  welfare  of 
young  men." 

Date  of  Organization. — October,  1900.  Incorpor- 
ated May  17,  1901. 

Number  of  Members. — Seniors,  153;   Juniors,  100. 

Present  Officers. — President,  H.  J.  Hipson;  Vice- 
President,  S.  C.  Palmer;  Recording  Secretary,  W.  J. 
Leland;  Treasurer,  C.  E.  Hoyt;  General  Secretary, 
James  H.  Norris. 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARY  OF  THE  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  assist  the  Asso- 
ciation in  its  work  among  young  men. 

Date  of  Organization. — November,  1888. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-eight. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  E.  L.  Ely ;  Vice- 
President,  Mrs.  E.  McGonegal ;  Treasurer,  Miss  Belle 
Doane;  Secretary,  Mrs.  H.  C.  Sherer. 


THE     WOMAN'S     CHRISTIAN     TEMPERANCE 

UNION  OF  CONN.,  AUXILIARY  TO  THE 

STATE  AND  NATIONAL  UNION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — The  object  of  the 
Union  is  to  purify  and  uplift,  to  plan  and  carry  for- 
ward measures  which  shall  result,  with  the  blessing  of 
God,  in  the  suppression  of  vice  and  intemperance  and 
the  salvation  of  our  fellow  creatures.  Our  badge  is  the 
bow  of  white  ribbon,  emblematic  of  purity,  worn  by  each 
member. 

334 


Date  of  Organization. — 1877. 

Number  of  Members. — 18. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  Wm.  Lawrence ; 
Secretary,  Mrs.  Ruth  T.  Makin ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  C.  A. 
Remson. 


FRIENDLY  GREETING  DIVISION,  No.  53,  SONS 
OF  TEMPERANCE. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Temperance. 

Date  of  Organization. — Dec.  2,  1874. 

Number  of  Members. — Sixty-seven. 

Present  Officers. — Worthy  Patriarch,  Fred  M. 
Hawley ;  Worthy  Associate,  Mrs.  Fred  W.  Buttery ; 
Recording  Scribe,  Miss  Lulu  F.  Prescott;  Assistant 
Recording  Scribe,  Miss  Grace  Dickens;  Financial 
Scribe.  Seymour  Crofoot;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  M.  E. 
Buttery;  Chaplain,  Miss  Minnie  Buttery;  Conductor, 
Miss  Annie  Aiken;  Assistant  Conductor,  Miss  Delia 
Dickens ;  Inside  Sentinel,  Eddie  Guthrie ;  Outside  Sen- 
tinel, Sidney  Guthrie;  Past  Worthy  Patriarch,  Z.  T. 
Osborn. 


CONCORD  DIVISION,  SONS  OF  TEMPERANCE. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — The  suppression  of 
drunkenness  and  its  attendant  miseries,  and  the  educa- 
tion of  the  young  in  the  same  direction. 

Number  of  Members. — Seventy-two. 

Present  Officers— W.  P.,  Oscar  S.  Canfield; 
W.  A.,  L.  E.  Brundage;  R.  S.,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Pryer; 
A.  R.  S.,  Mrs.  Oscar  Canfield;  F.  S.,  W.  A.  Kel- 
logg; Treasurer,  Lewis  Hubbell;  Chaplain,  Mrs. 
Charles;  Con.,  Miss  Hoggson;  A.  C.,  Miss  Pitzer;  I. 
S.,  Harry  Smith;  O.  S.,  N.  E.  Peck;  P.  W.  P.,  Miss 
Lillian  Deverell ;  Supr.  L.  C.,  Mrs.  Fred  M.  Wheeler. 

RISING  STAR  DIVISION,  No.  40,  SONS  OF 

TEMPERANCE. 

Objects  of  the  Organization.— Temperance  reform. 
Date  of  Organization. — Nov.  i6th,  1885. 
Number  of  Members.— Fifty-three. 
Present  Officers.— W.  P.,  Wm.  Sniffin;  R.  S.,  Pearl 
A.  Stevens;  D.  G.  W.  P.,  C.  H.  Guider. 

836 


WASHINGTON  LODGE,  No.  151,  I.  O.  G.  T. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Social  combination 
against  intemperance. 

Date  of  Organization. — Jan.  2,  1872. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty. 

Present  Officers.— C.  T.,  D.  A.  Pillow ;  V.  T.,  Mrs. 
E.  S.  Taylor;  P.  C.  T.,  E.  S.  Taylor;  Chaplain,  Mrs. 
Caroline  Wyman;  Treasurer,  W.  F.  Pillow;  Financial 
Secretary,  Julia  Crawford;  Secretary,  Lena  B.  Pillow; 
Assistant  Secretary,  E.  J.  Taylor ;  Marshal,  George 
Mills;  D.  M.,  John  Loft;  Guard,  Albert  Hendricks; 
L.  D.,  E.  J.  Taylor. 


ST.  JOHN'S  LODGE,  No.  6,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Promotion  of  char- 
ity and  good  will  among  men. 

Date  of  Organization. — May  23rd,  1765. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  eighty- 
three. 

Present  Officers. — W.  M.,  George  E.  Curtis;  S.  W., 
Farron  S.  Betts ;  J.  W.,  Chas.  F.  Tristram ;  Sec.,  Flet- 
cher Van  Hoosar;  Treasurer,  Samuel  Lynes. 


BUTLER  CHAPTER,  No.  38,  R.  A.  M. 

Objects  of  Organization. — Masonic. 

Date  of  Organization. — December,  18/3. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  six. 

Present  Officers.— M.  E.  H.  P.,  Chas.  J.  Palmer; 
E.  H.,  Chester  F.  Clark;  E.  S.,  Andrew  Walker; 
Treasurer,  Henry  A.  Wood;  Secretary,  Robert  M.  Wil- 
cox;  O.  O.  H.,"Wm.  H.  Raymond;  P.  S.,  J.  A.  Mc- 
Ginnis ;  R.  A.  C.,  Wm.  P.  Beers ;  M.  3  V.,  Peter  Decker ; 
M.  2  V.,  Chas.  A.  Damon;  M.  i  V.,  Hickson  W.  Cole; 
Organist,  Daniel  C.  Nash ;  Chaplain,  Geo.  W.  Smith ; 
Tyler,  Andrew  J.  Crossman. 


OLD  WELL  LODGE,  No.  108,  F.  &  A.  M 

Objects  of  Organization. — Masonic. 
Date  of  Organization. — September,  1868. 


336 


Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  ninety- 
four. 

Present  Officers.— W.  M.,  Chester  F.  Clark;  S.  W., 
Peter  Decker;  J.  W.,  Hickson  W.  Cole;  Treasurer, 
James  A.  Brown;  Secretary,  Robert  M.  Wilcox;  S.  D., 
Robert  A.  Kline;  J.  D.,  Stephen  S.  Naphey;  S.  S., 
Frank  Gamwin;  J.  S.,  Henry  A.  Lewis;  Marshal,  Wm. 
P.  Beers;  Chaplain,  Wm.  H.  Raymond;  Organist, 
Daniel  C.  Nash;  Tyler,  Andrew  J.  Crossman. 


WASHINGTON  CHAPTER,  No.  24,  ROYAL  ARCH 
MASONS. 

Objects  of  Organization. — Masonic. 

Date  of  Organization. — 1827. 

Number  of  Members. — About  one  hundred  and 
thirty. 

Present  Officers.— E.  C.,  Arthur  C.  Wheeler,  H. 
P.;  C.,  Leo  Davis,  K.;  C.,  E.  P.  Weed,  S.;  C.,  Samuel 
Lynes,  Treasurer;  C.,  G.  W.  Raymond,  Secretary;  E. 
C.,  S.  H.  Huntington,  C.  of  H.;  E.  C.,  J.  W.  Storey, 
P.  S. ;  C.,  J.  C.  Forbush,  R.  A.  C., ;  C.,  Allen  G.  Betts, 
T.;  Master  of  the  Veils,  John  Valiant,  Peter  Stalter, 
Wallace  Dann;  Trustees,  J.  W.  Storey,  David  Pollard, 
Wallace  Dann. 

CLINTON  COMMANDERY,  No.  3,  KNIGHTS 
TEMPLARS. 

Date  of  Organization.— Feb.  9,  1827. 

Present  Number  of  Members.— Eighty-six. 

Present  Officers.— F.  B.  Smith,  Eminent  Com- 
mander; Dr.  S.  H.  Huntington,  Generalissimo;  Charles 
Finch,  Captain  General;  Charles  Fable,  Junior  War- 
den; George  W.  Raymond,  Treasurer;  Farron  b. 
Betts,  Recorder;  George  E.  Curtis,  Prelate;  W. 
Michaels,  Standard  Bearer;  Peter  Stalter,  Sword 
Bearer;  A.  C.  Wheeler,  Warder;  Claude  Guthne,  First 
Guard;  C.  N.  Wood,  Second  Guard;  S.  B.  Lockwood, 
Third  Guard;  A.  A.  Betts,  Sentinel. 


OUR  BROTHERS  LODGE,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  relieve  the  dis- 
tressed, to  bury  the  dead  and  educate  the  orphan. 

Date  of  Organization. — October  19,  1842. 

Number  of  Members. — Four  hundred  and  thirty- 
eight. 

Present  Officers. — Royal  A.  Ellis,  N.  G. ;  Samuel 
O.  Kemp,  V.  G. ;  B.  S.  Keith,  Secretary ;  A.  A.  Betts, 
Treasurer;  St.  John  Merrill,  Financial  Secretary. 


KABAOSA  ENCAMPMENT,  No.  9,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — A  higher  branch  of 
Odd  Fellowship  for  the  farther  promotion  of  good  and 
welfare  amongst  Odd  Fellows. 

Date  of  Organization. — September  I7th,  1845. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight. 

Present  Officers. — Royal  Ellis,  C.  P.  Joseph  G. 
Hyatt,  H.  P.;  Wilbur  F.  Hubbell,  S.  W.;  St.  John  Mer- 
rill, Scribe;  Bradley  S.  Keith,  Treasurer;  Samuel  O. 
Kemp,  J.  W. 


BUTLER  LODGE,  No.  97,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Date  of  Organization. — September  25,  1875. 

Number  of  Members. — Three  hundred  and  ninety- 
three. 

Present  Officers.— N.  G.,  Hubert  S.  Mitchell ;  V.  S., 
John  Keogh ;  Secretary,  Frank  E.  Carr. 


COLFAX  ENCAMPMENT,  No.  31,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  benefit  one  an- 
other socially  and  financially. 

Date  of  Organization. — June  27th,  1892. 

Number  of  Members. — About  sixty. 

Present  Officers. — Chief  Patriarch,  Wm.  Q.  Mer- 
riam  ;  Senior  Warden,  D.  Burr  Beach  ;  Junior  Warden, 
James  H.  Wilmot;  Scribe,  John  H.  Batterson ;  Sen- 
tinel, John  Sniffen ;  Treasurer,  Frank  Carr ;  High 
Priest,  Samuel  Silliman. 


EUREKA  REBEKAH  LODGE. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — For  Mutual  Aid. 

Date  of  Organization. — December  Qth,  1895. 

Number  of  Members. — Two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Present  Officers. — Past  Grand,  Belle  Hodshon; 
Noble  Grand,  Adelia  Martineau;  Vice  Grand,  Gussie 
Barthol ;  Financial  Secretary,  Addie  Hyatt ;  Recording 
Secretary,  Elizabeth  Henderson;  Treasurer,  Hattie 
Batterson. 


SOUTH  NORWALK  IMPROVEMENT  SOCIETY. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Improvement  of 
Norwalk. 

"The  object  of  this  Association  shall  be  to  awaken 
and  encourage  in  the  community  a  sentiment  and  spirit 
which  will  act  for  the  common  interest;  to  create  or 
stimulate  in  the  individual  a  desire  for  the  elevation  and 
improvement  of  the  community,  thereby  securing  better 
hygienic  conditions  in  our  homes  and  surroundings; 
an  improvement  of  our  streets,  sidewalks  and  public 
grounds ;  the  planting  and  cultivating  of  trees  and  the 
protection  of  natural  scenery,  and  the  building  up  and 
beautifying  the  whole  town  of  Norwalk,  and  so  enhanc- 
ing the  beauty  and  value  of  its  property  and  rendering 
it  a  still  more  inviting  place  for  residence." 

Date  of  Organization.— January  13,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  twenty- 
five. 

Present  Officers.— President,  John  H.  Light ;  Sec- 
retary, Thomas  I.  Raymond;  Treasurer,  Leslie  Smith. 


THE  NORWALK  BUILDING  LOAN  AND 
INVESTMENT  CORPORATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Saving  Money  and 
getting  a  home. 

Date  of  Organization. — August  2Oth,  1889. 

Number  of  Members. — Two  hundred  and  fifty. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Nelson  Taylor;  Sec- 
retary, R.  H.  Golden ;  Treasurer,  Geo.  C.  Stillson. 

339 


SOUTH  NORWALK  BOARD  OF  TRADE. 

Objects  of  Organization. — To  induce  manufacturers 
to  locate  in  South  Norwalk  and  develop  the  city;  to 
promote  trade,  manufactures  and  commercial  enter- 
prises. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  10,  1897. 

Number  of  Members. — Seventy-five. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Nelson  Taylor;  Sec- 
retary, R.  H.  Golden. 


NORWALK  BUSINESS  MEN'S  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Best  interests  of 
merchants  and  the  community. 

Date  of  Organization. — December  29,  1898. 

Number  of  Members. — Fifty. 

Present  Officers. — President,  E.  S.  Adams;  Vice- 
President,  A.  C.  Wheeler;  Secretary,  C.  E.  Curtis; 
Treasurer,  M.  H.  Glover. 


NORWALK  HOSPITAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Maintenance  of  a 
hospital. 

Date  of  Organization. — Dec.  2,  1892. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  twenty- 
two. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Hon.  John  H.  Ferris; 
Vice-  President,  Robert  Van  Buren ;  Secretary,  Stephen 
W.  Velsor;  Treasurer,  Charles  B.  Stevens;  Executive 
Committee — Dr.  J.  G.  Gregory,  Thomas  I.  Raymond, 
William  F.  Bishop. 


RIVERSIDE  CEMETERY  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  create  a  park 
cemetery. 

Date  of  Organization. — May  I9th,  1886. 

Number  of  Members. — Joint  Stock  Association. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Vice-President,  Sec- 
retary, Treasurer  and  Superintendent. 

840 


UNCAS  TRIBE,  No.  26,  IMP.  O.  RED  MEN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization.— To  aid  distressed 
brothers  in  sickness  and  death  and  their  widows  and 
orphans. 

Date  of  Organization. — May  18,  1893. 

Number  of  Members.— Twp  hundred  and  five. 

Present  Officers. — W.  A.  Thompson,  S.;  J.  W. 
Gorham,  S.  S.;  R.  J.  Smith,  J.  S.,  A.  B.  Freeman,  C. 
of  R. 


HAY  LOFT  OF  UNCAS,  26  1-2. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Assisting  in  sickness 
and  death. 

Date  of  Organization. — August  6,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  nineteen. 

Present  Officers. — Chief  Haymaker,  C.  E.  Warren, 
Jr. ;  Collector  of  Straws,  A.  B.  Freeman. 


COCKENOE  TRIBE,  No.  32,  I.  O.  R.  M. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Relieve  the  sick  and 
bury  the  dead. 

Date  of  Organization. — January,  1897. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  forty. 

Present  Officers. — Sachem,  Fred  Benger;  Senior 
Sagamore,  W.  J.  Comstock;  Junior  Sagamore,  W. 
Meehan ;  Prophet,  Geo.  Murray ;  C.  of  R.,  Addison  A. 
Betts ;  K.  of  W.,  A.  Carmi  Belts ;  C.  of  W.,  E.  Brown. 


COCKENOE  HAYMAKERS  ASSOCIATION. 
No.  32  1-2. 

Objects  of  Organization. — Fun  and  goodfellow- 
ship  and  to  aid  each  other  in  distress. 

Date  of  Organization. — November  i6th,  1899. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-two. 

Present  Officers. — Chief  Haymaker,  Geo.  Murray; 
Ass't  Chief  Haymaker,  Royal  A.  Ellis;  Overseer, 
Aaron  Decker ;  '  Past  Chief  Haymaker,  Arthur  S. 
Mackin ;  Collector  of  Straws,  Fred'k  B.  Mackin ;  Keep- 
er of  Bundles.  H.  I.  Smith. 

841 


SCHILLER    STAMM,    No.    266,    INDEPENDENT 
ORDER  OF  RED  MEN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Sick  benefit  society. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  xoth,  1893. 

Number  of  Members. — Fifty-three. 

Present  Officers. — Priester,  Henrv  Kriete ;  Ober 
Chief,  Francis  Kocour;  By  Chief,  Jacob  Wolf;  Unter 
Chief,  Charles  Raymond;  Schriftfiihrer,  Gustav 
Lange ;  Schatzvernahrer,  Frank  Wollyoung ;  District 
Deputy,  Paul  T.  Berg. 


PONASSUS    COUNCIL,    No.     1268,    ROYAL 
ARCANUM. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Fraternal  union, 
moral  and  material  aid  to  members,  assistance  of  widows 
and  orphans  of  deceased  members. 

Date  of  Organization. — August  2nd,  1893. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-five. 

Present  Officers. — Regent,  J.  E.  Russell ;  Vice- 
Regent,  A.  Carmi  Betts ;  Orator,  Albert  A.  Betts ;  Past 
Regent,  Lewis  C.  Green ;  Secretary,  S.  C.  Cummings ; 
Collector,  O.  B.  Jackson;  Treasurer,  Wm.  A.  Curtis; 
Chaplain,  E.  J.  Jackson;  Guide,  J.  C.  Forbush;  War- 
den, James  H.  Flynn;  Sentry,  J.  H.  Corbit;  Trustees — 
O.  K.  Schofield,  H.  P.  Price,  C.  W.  Many. 


SHERMAN  COUNCIL,  No.  1342,  ROYAL 
ARCANUM. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — j.     Fraternal  union. 

2.  Moral  and  material  aid  to  members  and  their 
dependents. 

3.  Education     of     its     members ;     assistance     of 
widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members. 

4.  Relief  of  sick  and  distressed  members. 

5.  Payment  of  death  benefit. 

Date  of  Organization. — February  19,  1891. 
Number  of  Members. — Council,  105  members.  Gen 
eral  membership,  250,000. 

343 


THE  IMMEDIATE  RELIEF  ASSOCIATION  OF 

SHERMAN  COUNCIL,  No.  1342  AND  PONAS- 

SUS  COUNCIL,  No.  1268,  R.  A. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  establish  a  fund 
for  the  immediate  relief,  in  the  event  of  death,  of  either 
a  member  or  his  beneficiary. 

Date  of  Organization. — December  10,  1895. 

Number  of  Members. — Ninety-nine. 

Present  Officers. — President,  W.  P.  Randle;  Vice- 
President,  A.  Carmi  P.etts ;  Secretary,  S.  C.  Cummings ; 
Treasurer.  Geo.  F.  Bearse. 


UNITED  ORDER  OF  THE  GOLDEN  CROSS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Fraternity  and  in- 
surance. 

Date  of  Organization. — February  27th,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — Fifty. 

Present  Officers. — Commander,  James  Walsh: 
Vice-Commander,  Annie  M.  Decker ;  Prelate,  Sarah  J. 
Benedict ;  Treasurer,  James  Lycett ;  Financial  Keeper 
of  Records,  Howard  W.  Doty ;  Keeper  of  Records,  Geo. 
C.  Comstock;  Herald,  Geneva  M.  Decker;  Warder  of 
Inner  Gate,  Louisa  Romer;  Warder  of  Outer  Gate, 
Fred'k  E.  Brotherton;  Past  Commander,  Louisa  A. 
Evans. 


KNIGHTS  OF  PYTHIAS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Beneficial. 

Date  of  Organization. — November  I5th,  1883. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers.— C.  C.,  A.  C.  Wood ;  V.  C.,  Wm. 
O'Hara;  P.  V.,  Wm.  F.  Korn;  M.  of  W.,  L.  L.  Shaw; 
K.  of  R.  and  S.,  R.  J.  Smith ;  M.  of  Ex.,  J.  W.  Gorham ; 
M.  of  F.,  R.  W.  Sweeney. 


SECURITY  COUNCIL,  No.  22,  NATIONAL  PRO- 
VIDENT UNION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Benefits. 
Date  of  Organization. — June  5th,  1885. 

843 


Number  of  Members. — Twenty-five. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Wm.  A.  Kellogg; 
Vice-President,  G.  A.  Franke;  Secretary  and  Collec- 
tor, F.  M.  Wheeler;  Treasurer,  S.  S.  Naphey. 


BENEVOLENT  AND  PROTECTIVE  ORDER  OF 

ELKS. 

Objects  of  Organization. — To  promote  sociability 
and  dispense  charity. 

Date  of  Organization. — June  12,  1901. 

Number  of  Members. — Sixty. 

Present  Officers.— Exalted  Ruler,  F.  W.  Cameron ; 
Esteemed  Leading  Knight,  John  Hadden;  Esteemed 
Loyal  Knight,  John  Kiersch;  Esteemed  Lecturing 
Knight,  William  C.  Jesse ;  Inner  Guard,  P.  M.  Hutchin- 
son ;  Tyler,  William  Banker ;  Secretary,  Ariel  Cameron ; 
Treasurer,  C.  S.  Randall. 


COURT  NARRUP,  No.  58,  FORESTERS  OF 
AMERICA. 

Objects  of  Organization. — Liberty,  unity,  benevo- 
lence, concord. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  30,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  twenty- 
five. 

Present  Officers.— C.  R.,  Jas.  S.  Dyer;  S.  C.  R., 
Geo.  W.  Ingham ;  Treasurer,  S.  M.  Smith ;  Financial 
Secretary,  Jos.  Gilmore ;  Recording  Secretary,  Edward 
J.  Hayes. 


FORESTERS  OF  AMERICA,  STAR  OF  COLUM- 
BIA, COMPANIONS  OF  THE  FOREST. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Beneficial  and  social. 
Date  of  Organization. — June  29,  1894. 
Number  of  Members. — Sixty-eight. 
Present  Officers. — Mrs.  Frank  Lyle,  C.  C. ;    Miss 
Lizzie  Mulcahey,  Sub  C.  C. ;    Mrs.  Geo.  Steegmuller, 

344 


Rec.  Sec'y.;  Mrs.  Katharine  Howard,  Financial  Sec'y; 
Miss  Katharine  Duffy,  Treasurer;  Miss  Anna  Moore, 
Right  Guide;  Miss  Katharine  McGinn,  Left  Guide; 
Mrs.  John  Jondreau,  Inside  Guardian ;  Miss  May  Bren- 
nan,  Outside  Guardian. 


COURT  MAHACKEMO,  No.  33,  FORESTERS  OF 
AMERICA. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Benevolence  and 
sick  benefit. 

Date  of  Organization. — January  I2th,  1888. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  eleven. 

Present  Officers. — C.  R  ,  Ernest  Hopkins ;  S.  C.  R., 
Frank  Baker;  Financial  Secretary,  John  C.  Silcox:  Re- 
cording Secretary,  George  Eason;  Treasurer,  John 
Pendar ;  S.  W.,  John  Skidd ;  J.  W.,  Frederick  Ander- 
son; S.  B.,  William  Purdy;  J.  B.,  Charles  Colwell. 


LADY  JENNINGS,  No.  7,  ORDER  OF  SHEP- 
HERDS OF  BETHLEHEM. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Social  and  beneficial. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  3rd,  1900. 

Number  of  Members, — Seventy-seven. 

Present  Officers. — Commander,  Mrs.  Victoria  Ho- 
man;  Vice-Commander,  Wm.  L.  Merriam;  Past  Com- 
mander, Mrs.  Margaret  Brush;  Aide  to  Commander, 
Mrs.  Clara  Solker;  Scribe,  Miss  Emma  F.  Buxton; 
Accountant,  Miss  Etta  Solker;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Chas 
Solker;  Marshal,  Miss  Belle  Roe;  Chaplain,  Mrs. 
Mary  Robinson ;  Guards,  Miss  Viola  Bates,  Miss  Flor- 
ence Clark;  P.  Commanders,  Fannie  J.  Joyce,  Mary 
Merritt,  Kate  Balser. 

AMERICAN  LEGION  OF  HONOR. 

Objects  of  the  Organization.— Fraternal  insurance. 
Date  of  Organization. — October,  1882. 
Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  thirty. 
Present  Officers. — Commander,  J.  C.  Crowe ;   Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer,  W.  P.  Smallhorn. 

M 


BISHOP  McMAHON  COUNCIL,  No.  499,  CATH- 
OLIC BENEVOLENT  LEGION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Social  and  moral 
improvement,  and  the  creation  of  a  fund  foi  the  benefi- 
ciaries of  deceased  members,  and  the  relief  of  infirm  and 
aged  members. 

Date  of  Organization. — February  24,  1895. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty-six. 

Present  Officers. — President,  O.  A.  Reilly;  Vice- 
President,  P.  Briody :  Secretary,  P.  H.  Buckley ;  Col- 
lector, P.  J.  Kearney;  Treasurer,  John  Henry;  Orator, 
John  Callaghan ;  Chancellor,  T.  J.  Byrnes ;  Marshal,  P. 
Buckley;  Guard,  T.  E.  Montgomery;  Medical  Exam- 
iner, W.  J.  Tracey. 


CATHOLIC  UNION  COUNCIL,  No.  46,  KNIGHTS 
OF  COLUMBUS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Chanty,  unity,  fra- 
ternity and  brotherly  love. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  J5th,  1888. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — Grand  Knight,  Michael  J.  Rior- 
dan;  Deputy  Grand  Knight,  Thomas  H.  Burns;  Treas- 
urer, Edw.  J.  Finnegan ;  Financial  Secretary,  Bernard  C. 
Feeney;  Recording  Secretary,  Hugh  Donnelly;  War- 
den, William  H.  McMahon;  Chancellor,  Michael  J.  Dor- 
igan;  Lecturer,  David  Flaherty;  Advocate,  Edward 
Barrett ;  Chaplain,  Rev.  M.  Kiernan ;  Physician,  Dr.  W. 
J.  Tracy;  Outside  Guard,  Matthew  Burnes;  Inside 
Guard,  James  H.  Magner. 


PALESTINE  CASTLE,  NO.  2,  ANCIENT  ORDER 
KNIGHTS  OF  THE  MYSTIC  CHAIN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Relief  in  sickness; 
mutual  assistance  in  business ;  relief  of  widows  and  or- 
phans of  deceased  members. 

Date  of  Organization. — August  12,  1887. 

Number  of  Members. — Last  report,  90. 


846 


Present  Officers.— P.  C.,  F.  Coutou;  Com.,  W. 
Platt;  V.  Com.,  Charles  Utzinger;  Marshal,  Charles 
Johnson ;  R.  S.,  Byron  C.  Mead ;  F.  S.,  Edward  Beacom ; 
Treas.,  William  Taylor;  Organist,  Edward  Johnson;  I. 
S.,  Godfrey  Utzinger;  O.  S.,  Harry  Paxton;  Chaplain, 
F.  Scofield,  Jr.;  Trustees,  Ira  D.  Stevens,  Joseph  Bart- 
lem,  Jacob  Utzinger ;  Director,  F.  Scofield,  Jr. 


PIONEER   CASTLE,   NO.    i,   ANCIENT   ORDER 
KNIGHTS  OF  MYSTIC  CHAIN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — i.  Relief  of  breth- 
ren in  sickness,  accident  or  distress.  2.  Mutual  assis- 
tance in  business  and  in  procuring  employment. 
3.  The  assistance  and  care  of  widows  and  or- 
phans of  deceased  members.  4.  To  create  greater 
love  for  country,  homes  and  firesides.  5.  To  teach  obe- 
dience and  fidelity  to  the  laws  of  our  country  and  laws 
of  our  own  creating.  6.  To  bind  together  by  the  links 
of  friendship,  cemented  by  brotherly  love,  the  members 
of  the  Order  in  one  common  brotherhood. 

Instituted  Sept.  6th,  1895,  by  D.  D.  S.  C.,  Geo.  W. 
Coffin,  assisted  by  S.  I.  G.,  Solomon  Seam. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-one. 

Officers,  P.  Commander,  Geo.  H.  Whitlock;  Com- 
mander, Jas.  McQuillan ;  Vice  Commander,  Fred  Hyatt ; 
Marshal,  Geo.  Spicer;  Chaplain,  Charles  Murray;  Rec. 
Scribe,  Nathan  E.  Peck;  Financial  Scribe,  Wilbur  Hy- 
att; Treasurer,  Richard  Nesbitt;  Inside  Guard,  Geo. 
Hewett;  Outside  Guard,  Jos.  Whitley;  Trustees,  John 
Kirsch,  Wilbur  Hyatt,  Benj.  Becktle.  Meets  every 
Wednesday  evening  in  Sons  of  Temperance  Hall,  Ga- 
zette Building. 


SOUTH   NORWALK  CONCLAVE,  NO.  418,  IM- 
PROVED ORDER  HEPTASOPHS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Fraternal  insurance. 
Date  of  Organization. — May  14,  1896. 
Number  of  Members. — Forty-five. 
Present  Officers.— Past  Archon,  John  E.  Paul ;  Ar- 
chon,  Thomas  B.  Griffin;  Provost,  William  Miller;  Pre- 
847 


late,  Frederick  T.  Butler ;  Secretary,  Frank  W.  Sturde- 
vant ;  Financier,  Wilfred  Bodwell ;  Treasurer,  Frank  N. 
Ferris;  Inspector,  Arthur  C.  Wood;  Warden,  James  W. 
O'Brien;  Sentinel,  Charles  B.  Gray. 


IMPROVED  ORDER  HEPTASOPHS,  NORWALK 
CONCLAVE,  NO.  427. 

Objects. — To  unite  fraternally  all  white  men  of 
sound  bodily  health,  of  good  moral  character,  socially 
acceptable,  engaged  in  an  honorable  profession  or  busi- 
ness occupation  not  hazardous,  and  between  21  years 
and  55  years  of  age. 

Date  of  Organization. — June,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty-nine. 

Present  Officers. — Archon,  T.  Marshall  Andrews; 
Past  Archon,  Arthur  C.  Wheeler;  Provost,  James  Ly- 
cett;  Secretary,  Howard  Doty;  Treasurer,  St.  John 
Merrill ;  Financier,  Herbert  W.  Kemp ;  Prelate,  W.  F. 
Lockwood ;  Inspector,  Mortimer  Betts ;  Warder  and 
Sentinel,  William  Buxton;  Trustees,  Moses  Glover, 
James  Lycett,  Frederick  Lockwood. 


PATRIOTIC  ORDER,  SONS  OF  AMERICA, 
NO.  ii. 

Objects  of  the  Order. — To  inculcate  pure  American 
principles.  To  teach  loyalty  to  American  institutions. 
To  cultivate  fraternal  affection.  To  oppose  foreign  in- 
fluence in  state  or  national  affairs.  To  oppose  all  ap- 
propriations of  public  moneys  for  sectarian  purposes. 
To  preserv.  the  constitution  of  the  United  States.  To 
defend  and  maintain  the  American  system  of  public 
schools. 

Date  of  Organization. — Sept.  nth,  1899. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight. 

Present  Officers. — President,  W.  H.  Sniffen;  Vice 
President,  Harry  M.  Hubbell;  Master  of  Forms,  F.  P. 
Self;  Past  President,  S.  G.  Silliman;  Recording  Secre- 
tary, J.  H.  Batterson;  Financial  Secretary,  D.  B.  Beach; 
Treasurer,  H.  A.  Wood;  Inspector,  J.  B.  Davenport; 
Guard,  William  Underdown.  Meets  every  Thursday  in 
Mystic  Chain  Hall. 

848 


PATRIOTIC  ORDER  OF  AMERICANS. 

Objects. — Patriotism,  mutual  benefit,  protection, 
fraternity. 

Date  of  Organization. — October  24,  1901. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty-seven. 

Officers. — Past  President,  Mrs.  Thomas  Cole;  Asst. 
Past  President,  Mrs.  Cora  Shipman;  President,  Mrs. 
Catherine  Smith ;  Asst.  President,  George  M.  Phillips ; 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  Albert  Dunn;  Asst.  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Frank  P.  Self;  Conductor,  Miss  Anna  Curtis; 
Asst.  Conductor,  Mrs.  George  M.  Phillips;  Recording 
Secretary,  Miss  Ruth  Rolliston ;  Asst.  Recording  Secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Frank  Day;  Financial  Secretary,  Mrs.  John 
Cashaw,  Sr. ;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Charles  Day;  Guard,  Mrs. 
Frank  P.  Self;  Sentinel,  Miss  Sadie  Cashaw;  Orator, 
Mrs.  Stephen  Naphey :  Chaplain,  Mrs.  Sprague ;  Pianist, 
Miss  Minnie  Raymond;  Trustees,  H.  S.  Mitchell,  Mrs. 
H.  S.  Mitchell,  Mrs.  F.  P.  Self. 


NEW  ENGLAND  ORDER  PROTECTION,  P.  C. 
LOUNSBURY  LODGE,  NO.  126. 

Da'e  of  Organization. — October  17,  1889. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Fraternal  insurance. 

Number  of  Members. — Sixty-five. 

Present  Officers.— Warden,  Gustav  Pitzer;  Vice 
Warden,  John  B.  Cloff;  Treasurer,  Henry  A.  Wood; 
Secretary,  Charles  H.  Ferris. 


ORDER    OF    HERMAN,    HUMBOLDT   LODGE, 
NO.  6,  O.  D.  H.  S.    (German.) 

Objects. — Beneficiary. 

Date  of  Organization. — 1889. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-four. 

Present  Officers.— President,  John  Neugebauer; 
Recording  Secretary,  Adolf  Danke ;  Financial  Secretary, 
Gustave  Moeller;  Treasurer,  Carl  Schaub. 

840 


DAUGHTERS   OF   HERMAN,   LOUISA   LODGE, 
NO.  6,  H.  O.  D.  S. 

Objects  of  Organization. — Sociability,  insurance 
an.'i  charity. 

Date  01  Organization. — October  27,  1889. 

Number  of  Members. — Twenty-six. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Mrs.  Theresa  Weh- 
rile;  Vice  President,  Bertha  NeMgebauer;  Recording 
Secretary,  Elsie  Durbeck;  Financial  Secretary,  Bar- 
bara Danke;  Treasurer,  Louise  Malmo. 


ITALIAN   MUTUAL   BENEVOLENT   INDEPEN- 
DENT SOCIETY. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Welfare  of  its  mem- 
bers and  parliamentary  practice. 

Date  of  Organization. — Founded  Oct.  14,  1895 ;  in- 
corporated May  30,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — About  40. 

Officers. — J.  Fanzilli,  President;  J.  Disesa,  Vice 
President ;  J.  Porcelli,  Recording  Secretary :  V.  Cinquie, 
Treasurer;  L.  Venegia,  S.  Cocchia,  S.  Romano,  Trus- 
tees; S.  Pisacreto,  G.  Berardino,  Flag  Bearers;  M.  Da- 
mato.  Sergeant  of  Arms ;  Frabut  Coca,  Emidio  Coppa, 
Gaetano  Dicesase,  Jury. 


WELCOME  STRANGER  LODGE,  No.  364,  ORDER 
SONS  OF  ST.  GEORGE. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Beneficial. 

Date  of  Organization. — November  12,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred. 

Present  Officers. — W.  President,  George  Holt; 
Vice-President,  John  Ashworth;  Secretary,  George  E. 
Goodwin. 

m 


GERMAN  SICK  BENEFIT  SOCIETY  FREUND- 
SHAFTZ  BUND. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  take  care  of  its 
sick  members. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  10,  1870. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-four. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Paul  T.  Berg;  Vice- 
President,  William  C.  Jesse;  Recording  Secretary,  Gus- 
tav  Thieme ;  Finance  Secretary,  Henry  C.  Froeb ;  Treas- 
urer, Adam  Schmidt. 


DIVISION  No.  i,  ANCIENT  ORDER  OF 
HIBERNIANS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  promote  friend- 
ship, unity  and  Christian  charity  among  its  members, 
by  raising  or  supporting  a  fund  of  money  for  maintain- 
ing the  aged,  sick,  blind  and  infirm  members,  for  the 
legitimate  expenses  of  the  order,  and  for  no  other  pur- 
pose whatsoever. 

Date  of  Organization. — May  26,  1890. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-five. 

Officers. — President,  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Chine;  Vice- 
President,  Richard  O'Gorman ;  Rec.  Secretary,  John  H. 
Moore;  Fin.  Secretary,  Daniel  Hogan;  Treasurer,  Pat- 
rick F.  Slattery. 


LADIES'   AUXILIARY   TO   THE   ANCIENT 
ORDER  OF  HIBERNIANS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  promote  friend- 
ship, unity  and  Christian  charity  among  its  members  by 
raising  or  supporting  a  fund  of  money  for  maintaining 
the  aged,  sick,  blind  and  infirm  members. 

Organized  Feb.  13,  1896. 

Number  of  Members. — Thirty. 

Officers. — Nellie  Deloughery,  President;  Annie 
Connolly,  Vice-President ;  Annie  McAuliffe,  Rec.  Sec.; 
Hannah  Burke,  Fin.  Sec. ;  Nora  Driscoll,  Treasurer. 

851 


ROBERT  EMMET  CLUB,  CLAN-NA-GAEL. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — The  independence  of 
Ireland. 

Date  of  Organization. — February,  1892. 

Number  of  Members. — Thirty. 

President,  James  M.  Creagh ;  Vice-President,  Hugh 
McCarthy ;  Rec.  Secretary,  John  F.  Moore ;  Fin.  Secre- 
tary, Daniel  Hogan ;  Treasurer,  Patrick  F.  Slattery. 


SOUTH   NORWALK  LODGE,   No.   185,   ORDER 
BRITH  ABRAHAM. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Sick  and  death 
benefit. 

Pate  of  Organization. — May  12,  1895. 

Number  of  Members. — Seventy-eight. 

Present  Officers.— M.  Baratz,  President ;  Philip  Ny- 
good,  Secretary. 

ST.  JOSEPH  ROMAN  AND  GREEK  CATHOLIC 
SICK  BENEVOLENT  AND  CHURCH  SOCIETY. 

Objects. — Paying  sick  benefits,  and  in  cases  of 
death  causing  to  perform  the  burial  ceremonies  accord- 
ing to  Roman  and  Greek  Catholic  rites,  and  working  in 
the  interest  of  said  churches. 

Date  of  Organization. — April  24,  1898. 

Number  of  Members. — One  hundred  and  thirty. 

Present  Officers. — President  (Emery  Monsport 
since  October,  1901),  Julius  Elias,  the  organizer  of  the 
society,  and  president  from  its  organization  to  October, 
1901 ;  Vice-President,  Miss  Elizabeth  Ken ;  Clerk,  Paul 
Lengyel  (since  October,  1901,  Emery  Monsport  up  to 
Octor,  1901) ;  Secretary,  Steven  Pramer ;  Treasurer,  Jos- 
eph Kerekes. 


THE  FIRST  HUNGARIAN  HUNYADI  SICK  AND 
BENEVOLENT  SOCIETY. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Giving  financial  aid 
in  case  of  sickness. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  25,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — Fifty-four. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Steven  Balazs;  Vice- 
President,  John  Kvancz ;  Clerk,  Joseph  Hadhazi ;  Secre- 
tary, Daniel  Gal;  Treasurer,  John  Pasko;  Controller, 
Steven  Kecskis. 


FIRST  HUNGARIAN  SICK  BENEFIT  SOCIETY. 

Object. — Paying  sick  benefits. 

Date  of  organization. — August  9,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — Seventy-one. 

Present  Officers. — President,  Joseph  Schon;  Vice- 
President,  Emery  Transport;  Clerk,  Steven  Pramer; 
Secretary,  John  Ungvari ;  Treasurer,  John  Fedor ;  Con- 
troller, Steven  Simonszky. 


(Being  a  branch  of  the  Bridgeport  Rakoczy  Sick  Benev 
olent  Society). 

Objects. — Aiding  sick  members  financially,  and  life 
insurance. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  24,  1901. 

Number  of  Members. — Forty-one. 

Present  Officers.— President,  John  Loncsak ;  Vice- 
President,  Michael  Draskoczy;  Clerk  and  Secretary, 
Joseph  Makkay ;  Treasurer,  John  Rochrick. 


NORWALK  MEDICAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  Organization. — To  devise  and  carry  into 
effect  measures  for  our  mutual  improvement;  to  pro- 
mote a  good  understanding  and  harmonious  intercourse 


with  each  other;  and  to  secure  a  uniformity  in  profes- 
sional fees. 

Date  of  Organization. — December  14,  1868. 

Number  of  Members. — Eleven. 

Present  Officers. — President,  L.  M.  Allen,  M.  D.; 
Vice- President,  A.  N.  Clark,  M.  D.;  Secretary,  H.  C. 
Sherer,  M.  D. 


LINCOLN  COUNCIL,  No.  4,  ORDER  OF  UNITED 
AMERICAN  MECHANICS. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — The  objects  are  to 
promote  the  interests,  elevate  the  character  and  secure 
the  happiness  of  the  members.  To  assist  each  other  in 
every  way  possible.  To  encourage  each  other  in  busi- 
ness. To  establish  a  sick  and  funeral  fund.  To  assist 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members.  To  aid 
members,  who  have  become  incapable  of  following  their 
usual  vocations  in  obtaining  situations  suitable  to  their 
afflictions.  To  defend  ourselves  from  the  injurious  com- 
petition of  foreign  emigrants  and  our  Government  from 
their  corrupting  influence ;  and  to  adopt  such  measures 
as  may  best  accomplish  these  desirable  ends. 

Date  of  Organization. — February  6,  1803. 

Number  of  Members. — Ninety-eight. 

Present  Officers. — Counselor,  John  H.  Plander; 
Vice-Counselor,  James  E.  Stevens ;  Jr.  Ex-Counselor, 
John  S.  Seymour;  Sr.  Ex-Counselor,  Fred  W.  Weed; 
Chaplain,  Rev.  G.  Haulenbeck;  Rec.  Secretary,  C.  H. 
Adams ;  Asst.  Secretary.  J.  I,.  Brundage :  Financial  Sec- 
retary, Frederick  Scofield ;  Treasurer,  Henry  A.  Wood ; 
Inductor,  William  D.  Platt;  Examiner,  Edw.  Norton; 
Inside  Protector,  C.  H.  Ferris;  Outside  Protector,  C.  S. 
Dauchy;  Trustees,  James  E.  Stevens,  Edw.  L.  Gray, 
George  Cummings ;  Organist,  William  Q.  Merriam. 


THE  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  STATION- 
ARY ENGINEERS,  No.  13,  OF  SOUTH 
NORWALK,  CONN. 

The  organization  is  based  upon  the  following  ob- 
jects:— The  better  education  of  its  members  in  the  art 

M 


and  science  of  steam  engineering.  To  protect  the  in- 
terests of  competent  engineers  in  their  vocation.  To 
enroll  all  competent  engineers  in  this  organization.  Im- 
parting information  beneficial  to  the  trade.  Assisting 
members  out  of  employment  to  obtain  the  same.  To 
procure  by  legal  enactment  greater  safety  in  the  opera- 
tion of  steam  plants. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  12,  1893. 

Number  of  Members. — Nine  active,  four  honorary. 

Present  Officers. — President,  T.  R.  Fancher;  Vice- 
President,  N.  I.  Meserve ;  Treasurer  and  Financial  Sec- 
retary, H.  S.  Pickering;  Deputy  President,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary,  L.  J.  Jones;  Conductor 
and  Doorkeeper,  Frank  Caftery ;  Trustees,  Patrick  Hen- 
nessy,  G.  H.  Howard,  William  Johnson;  Education 
Committee,  N.  I.  Meserve,  L.  J.  Jones;  Examining 
Committee,  H.  Pickering,  L.  J.  Jones,  G.  H.  Howard. 


NORWALK  HAT  TRIMMERS'  ASSOCIATION. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — Mutual  benefit  and 
protection. 

Date  of  Organization. — 1858. 

Number  of  Members. — Two  hundred  and  twenty. 

Present  Officers.— President,  D.  Fenton  Pomeroy; 
Vice-President,  David  Bernard;  Secretary,  John  W. 
Sculley;  Treasurer,  Stephen  H.  Carlin. 


HAT  TRIMMERS'  UNION  OF  SOUTH 
NORWALK,  CONN. 

Objects  of  the  Organization.— To  protect  the  rights 
of  each  member  and  secure  justice. 

Date  of  Organization.— April,  1885. 

Number  of  Members. — Four  hundred. 

Present  Officers.— Mrs.  F.  Joyce,  President;  Mrs. 
Wilkinson,  Vice-President;  Miss  E.  Buxton,  Secretary; 
Jennie  Bedient,  Treasurer. 


UNITED    BROTHERHOOD    OF    CARPENTERS 
AND  JOINERS,  LOCAL  No.  746. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. — To  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  the  members  in  the  trade;  sick  benefits. 

Date  of  Organization. — Feb.  4,  1891. 

Number  of  Members. — Fifty-two. 

Present  Officers. — W.  J.  Sheehan,  President;  A.  H. 
Buttery,  Vice  President;  S.  O.  Kemp,  Secretary;  W.  A. 
Kellogg,  Fin.  Sec. ;  E.  K.  St.  John,  Treas. 


NORWALK  LODGE,  No.  2881,  G.  U.  O.  of  O.  F. 

Objects  of  the  Organization. —  Take  care  of  the 
sick  and  bury  the  dead. 

Date  of  Organization. — July  5th,  1887. 

Number  of  Members. — Twelve. 

Present  Officers.—  N.  M.  Jackson,  P.  S. ;  J.  D. 
Taylor,  W.  T. 


NORWALK'S     INDUSTRIES 

By  Edmund  E.  Crowe. 

HE  opportunities  for  industrial  growth 
possessed  by  Norwalk  are  not  the 
good  fortune  of  many  New  England 
towns.  Located  on  the  line  of  the 
greatest  railroad  in  the  world,  with 
excellent  harbor,  close  proximity  to 
Greater  New  York,  first-class  electric 
railway  system,  water  works,  electric 
plants,  handsome  church  edifices  and  hospital,  well  con- 
ducted public  schools,  up-to-date  hotels,  seaside  resorts, 
nothing  is  lacking  to  attract  industries  to  our  town. 

What  has  been  our  progress  along  industrial  lines 
during  the  past  two  hundred  and  fifty  years?  The  pop- 
ular opinion  is  that  Norwalk  has  not  lived  up  to  her 
possibilities  and,  therefore,  has  little  reason  for  boast- 
ing. This  may  in  a  large  measure  be  true,  but  to  the 
close  observer  it  is  evident  that  Norwalk,  after  all,  is 
not  unimportant  in  the  world  of  business.  Her  repu- 
tation for  air  compressors,  hats,  shoes,  corsets,  locks, 
hardware,  woolen  goods  and  other  manufactured 
products  is  as  favorable  in  all  parts  of  the  world  as  to 
our  own  people. 

In  the  work  of  compiling  the  statistics  for  the 
Twelfth  Census  of  the  United  States,  just  completed, 
the  Director  of  the  Census,  in  order  to  show  the  extent 
of  the  concentration  of  the  manufactures  of  Connecti- 
cut, selected  61  cities  and  towns  and  appointed  special 
agents  to  collect  the  statistics.  In  the  Census  Bulletin 
issued  Nov.  9th,  1901,  Norwalk's  record  was  given  in 
the  table  of  urban  manufactures,  as  follows: 

Number  of  establishments,  247;  capital,  $4,129,841 ; 
proprietors  and  firm  members,,  265. 

Wage  Earners. — Average  number,  3,172;  total 
wages,  $1,586,509.  . 

Miscellaneous  expenses,  $296,075 ;  cost  of  material 

used,  $2,261,195. 

Products.— Value,  $5,097.720;  rank,  16;  per 

of  total,  1.4. 

Population.— Total,   19,932;  rank,  8;  per  < 

total,  2.2.  . , 

The  following  information  is  invaluable  in  cpnsid 

ering  our  industrial  .standing  at  this  time,  furnishing  a 

857 


it  does  accurate  statistics  gathered  by  the  special  census 
agents  for  the  census  year  1900: 

Capital. — Land,  $367,084;  buildings,  $592,205; 
machinery,  tools  and  implements,  $1,009,719;  cash  and 
sundries,  $2,160,833;  total,  $4,129,841. 

Salaried  officials,  clerks,  Etc. — Number,  124;  sala- 
ries, $150,776. 

Average  number  of  wage  earners  and  total  wages. 
— Average  number,  3,172;  wages,  $1,586,509.  Men,  16 
years  and  over,  average  number,  2,350;  wages,  $1,321,- 
645 ;  women,  16  years  and  over,  791 ;  wages,  $259,085 ; 
children,  under  16  years,  31 ;  wages,  $5,779. 

Miscellaneous  expenses. — Rent  of  works,  $45,532 ; 
taxes,  $9,840;  rent  of  offices,  interest,  etc.,  $168,795; 
contract  work,  $71,908;  total,  $296,075. 

Cost  of  materials  used. — Principal  materials,  in- 
cluding mill  supplies  and  freight,  $2,202,470;  fuel  and 
rent  of  power  and  heat,  $58,725;  total,  $2,261,195. 

Value  of  products,  including  custom  work  and  re- 
pairing, $5,097,720. 

It  is  intended  by  the  writer  to  record  in  a  general 
way  what  Norwalk  has  to-day  as  a  result  of  her  indus- 
trial existence.  With  changing  years  industries  have 
come  and  gone.  It  will  be  of  interest,  however,  to  go 
back  a  few  years  and  see  what  our  people  did  in  early 
days  and  observe  how  few  of  the  goods  manufactured 
here  then  are  made  at  this  time. 

Below  we  quote  a  few  statistics  of  Norwalk  com- 
piled in  1845: 

Comb  factory,  i ;  value  of  manufactures,  $600 : 
capital,  $300;  employees,  3. 

Cotton  mill,  I ;  spindles,  328 :  cotton  consumed, 
41,000  tbs. ;  yarn  manufactured,  35,200  tbs.;  value, 
$5,280.  Cotton  batting  manufactured,  11,315  ft>s. ; 
value,  $668.90;  capital,  $3,000;  male  employees,  9;  fe- 
male employees,  7. 

Screw  factory,  i ;  screws  manufactured,  10,000 
gross;  value,  $5,000;  capital,  $3,000;  employees,  7. 

Shovel,  Spade,  Fork  and  Hoe  factory,  i  ;  value  of 
manufactures,  $225;  capital,  $100;  employees,  2. 

Metal  Button  factory,  i  ;  buttons  manufactured, 
5,000  gross;  value,  $4,000;  capital,  $500;  employees,  5. 

Flouring  mill,  i ;  flour  manufactured,  2,300  lt>s. ; 
value,  $13,260;  capital,  $8,000;  employees,  3. 

Tanneries,  2;  hides  tanned,  9,900;  leather  manu- 
factured, value  $7,000;  capital,  $7,000;  employees,  7. 

858 


Boots  made,  3,189  pairs;  shoes,  90,491  pairs;  value, 
$77,189;  male  employees,  274;  female  employees,  202. 

Snuff,  Tobacco  and  Segars  manufactured,  value, 
$11,900;  employees,  n. 

Lumber  prepared  for  market,  43,350  feet;  value, 
$2,875 ;  employees,  9. 

Fire  Wood  prepared  for  market,  200  cords ;  value, 
$660;  employees,  3. 

Watch,  Jewelry,  Etc. — Factory,  i ;  value  of  manu- 
facturers, $1,000;  capital,  $500;  employees,  2. 

Saddle,  Trunk  and  Harness  factory,  i ;  value  of 
manufactures,  $2,000;  capital,  $1,000;  employees,  2. 

Hat  and  Cap  factories,  1 1 ;  hats  and  caps  manu- 
factured, 36,000;  value,  $71,840;  capital,  $27,500;  em- 
ployees, 83. 

Coach,  Wagon  and  Sleigh  factories,  4;  value  of 
manufactures,  $19,845;  capital,  $800;  employees,  23. 

Tallow  Candle  factory,  i ;  candles  manufactured, 
25,000  fbs.;  value,  $2,500;  capital,  $800;  employees,  2. 

Chair  and  Cabinet  factories,  3;  value  of  manufac- 
tures, $4,200;  capital,  $  2,200;  employees,  7. 

Tin  factories,  2;  value  of  manufactures,  $12,500; 
capital,  $13,000;  employees,  6. 

Felt  Cloth  factory,  i ;  cloth  manufactured,  75,000 
yds.;  value,  $67,500;  male  employees,  15;  female  em- 
ployees, 6;  capital,  $20,000;  wool  consumed,  80,000  ft>s. 

Stone  and  Earthenware  factories,  3 :  value  of  man- 
ufactures, $26,000;  capital,  $26,000;  male  employees,  35. 

Confectionery  factories,  2;  value  of  manufactures, 
$6,400;  capital,  $I,OOO-;  employees,  4. 

Marble  Monument  factory,  i ;  value  of  manufac- 
tures, $3,000;  capital,  $i,ooo ;  employees,  3. 

All  other  articles  manufactured,  value,  $102,900; 
capital,  $48,000;  employees,  63. 

Sheep,  all  sorts,  437;  value»  $4375  w°o1  produced, 
1,388  Ibs.;  value,  $416.40. 

Horses,  228;  value,  $10,563;  neat  cattle,  1,050; 
value,  $14,122;  swine,  1,023;  value,  $7,499- 

Sperm  Oil  consumed,  125  galls. ;  value,  $125. 

Anthracite  Coal  consumed,  100  tons ;  value,  $500. 

Indian  Corn,  9,632  bu.,  value,  $5,779.20;  wheat,  813 
bu.,  value,  $813;  rye,  3,894  bu.,  value,  $2,920.50;  oats, 
13,125  bu.,  value,  $5,250;  potatoes,  10,784  fcu..  value, 
$5,392;  other  esculents,  5,212  bu.,  value,  $I,5Q3.DC 

Hay,  1,777  tons,  value,  $22,292;  fruit,  14,772  bu., 
value,  $2,528. 

M 


Butter  64,^74  bu.,  value,  $10,395;  cheese,  1,175  tbs., 
value,  $70.50;  honey,  485  tbs.,  value,  $48.50. 

Poultry,  value,  $3.098;  eggs,  $7,600;  charcoal  man- 
ufactured, 1,300  bu.,  value,  $130. 

In  1819  John  C.  Pease  and  John  M.  Niles  arranged 
and  had  published  a  Gazetteer  of  the  states  of  Rhode 
Island  and  Connecticut,  which  contained  the  following 
reference  to  Norwalk: 

"This  town  possesses  considerable  advantages  for 
navigation,  and  the  interests  thereof  are  continually 
increasing.  There  are  16  vessels  of  every  description 
belonging  to  the  town,  of  which  there  are  six  regular 
packets  that  constantly  ply  between  this  place  and  New 
York.  One  of  them  is  employed  exclusively  in  the 
conveyance  of  passengers.  The  remaining  ten  vessels 
consists  of  sloops  and  schooners,  and  are  employed  in 
the  coasting  trade  to  New  York  and  elsewhere. 

In  addition  to  the  pursuits  of  agriculture,  naviga- 
tion and  commerce,  some  attention  has  been  bestowed 
on  manufactures.  There  are  I  woolen  factory,  2  cotton 
factories,  one  upon  an  extensive  scale,  i  slitting  and 
rolling  mill,  5  grain  mills,  two  of  which  are  merchants' 
or  flouring  mills,  3  fulling  mills  and  cloth  dressing  es- 
tablishments, 4  carding  machines  and  2  tanneries. 

"There  are,  in  the  village,  nearly  100  houses,  a 
number  of  trading  houses,  dry  goods  and  grocery 
stores,  i  bookstore,  several  private  offices,  a  post  office, 
a  newspaper  and  printing  establishment,  2  churches, 
and  several  mechanics'  shops.  There  are  in  Norwalk 
13  primary  schools  and  i  academy,,  16  mercantile 
stores,  7  public  inns,  3  physicians,  3  clergymen  and  2 
attorneys." 

It  will  readily  be  seen  that  the  contrast  of  former 
times  to  the  present  era  of  large  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments is  very  great.  Still,  there  is  evidence  that 
even  in  our  earlier  days  the  spirit  of  progress  possessed 
the  people  to  a  marked  degree.  The  fear  entertained 
by  some  that  the  monster,  monopoly,  is  a  nineteenth 
century  production,  may  be  dispelled  by  a  careful  con- 
sideration of  the  request  made  by  one  Samuel  Delu- 
cena,  who  evidently  was  a  moving  spirit  in  bur  town, 
nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  The  promoters 
of  huge  combinations  of  capital  which  some  predict  will 
be  ruinous  to  our  nation,  have  a  great  deal  to  learn 
from  our  ancient  friend.  The  following  petition  appears 
in  a  volume  on  Connecticut  Industries  covering  the  pe- 


riod  1764-1789  on  file  at  the  State  Capitol  Library  in 
Hartford: 

"To  the  Honored  General  Assembly  of  his  Majes- 
ty's English  Colony  of  Conn,  in  N.  E.  in  America  to 
be  holden  in  Hartford  on  the  Second  Thursday  of  In- 
stant May.  The  Memorial  of  Samuel  De  Lucena,  now 
Resident  in  Norwalk,  in  the  Co.  of  F'd,  humbly  shew- 
eth  that  your  Memorialise  was  Born  and  Brought  up  a 
Merchant  in  the  City  of  N.  Y.  in  Amer.,  but  finding  of 
late  years  that  it  is  hard  making  returns  to  Europe 
from  whence  he  had  his  English  Goods,  and  thereupon 
your  Honors  memorialise  hath  now  Learned  the  Skill 
of  making  Pot  Ash  and  for  that  Purpose  hath  by  the 
Approbation  and  Consent  of  the  Good  People  of  Nor- 
walk Actually  Disbursed  and  Layd  out  near  two  Hun- 
dred Pounds  Lawful  Money  in  Building  and  preparing 
to  carry  on  that  Business  in  making  Pot  Ash,  which 
Buildings  are  erected  at  the  South  End  of  the  Town  ot 
Norwalk  which  affair  if  Carried  with  Success  your 
Honours  Memorialist  hopes  may  prove  of  Good  Ad- 
vantage both  to  himself  and  the  Government  in  Gen- 
eral in  Case  he  can  have  the  Approbation  and  Assis- 
tance of  the  Hon'd  Assembly  in  the  case  whereupon 
your  Honours  Memorialist  humbly  praise  that  this  As- 
sembly will  pass  an  Act  forbidding  any  other  person  or 
Persons  setting  up  any  work  or  Carrying  on  the  Busi- 
ness of  making  Potash  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut 
within  the  district  of  twenty  miles  of  the  place  where 
his  work  is  now  erected- or  in  some  other  way  pass 
some  other  Act  that  may  be  for  his  Incouragement  as 
this  Assembly  in  their  great  wisdom  shall  think  proper 
for  his  Benefit  that  he  may  proceed  without  Interruption 
for  some  certain  term  of  years  as  he  is  the  first  under- 
taken to  carry  on  that  Business  in  this  County  and  your 
Memorialist  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray. 

"Dated  at  Norwalk,  the  6th  day  of  May,  Anno 
Domi,  1765.  SAMUEL  DELUCENA  " 

We  have  striven  to  procure  a  list  of  those  engaged 
in  industrial  pursuits  in  Norwalk,  together  with  such 
other  information  as  will  serve  a  historical  purpose. 

AIR  AND  GAS  COMPRESSORS. 
The  Norwalk  Iron  Works  Company,  manufacturers 
of  Air  and  Gas  Compressors,  is  the  largest  manufac- 
turing enterprise  of  the  Norwalks.    The  foundries  and 
machine  shops  are  situated  on  the  Norwalk  River  with 


ample  wharf  facilities  and  front  on  Water  street  a  dis- 
tance of  800  feet. 

The  most  important  buildings  are  of  recent  con- 
struction, being  made  with  especial  reference  to  the 
business  and  are  equipped  with  electric  cranes,  modern 
machine  tools,  and  every  up-to-date  shop  appliance. 

Three  hundred  and  seventy-five  men  find  employ- 
ment here  and  from  the  U.  S.  Census  reports  it  is  found 
that  the  pay  roll  is  over  one-seventh  the  entire  wages 
paid  in  the  town.  For  many  years  Sundays  and  legal 
holidays  have  been  the  only  days  of  cessation  from 
work. 

The  products  of  this  factory  are  compressors  for 
air  and  gases.  The  machines  are  from  the  designs  and 
patents  of  Ebenezer  Hill,  the  present  manager  of  the 
company. 

Prominent  in  the  mechanical  affairs  of  the  com- 
pany have  been  John  A.  Slater,  superintendent,  and 
Henry  H.  Jennings,  draughtsman,  both  deceased,  and 
Henry  P.  Morgan,  now  chief  draughtsman.  Stephen 
St.  John  for  over  35  years  and  Oliver  E.  Weed  for  31 
years  in  the  employ  of  the  compny  and  its  predecessor 
as  foremen  are  well  known  to  all  veteran  mechanics  of 
the  town. 

The  officers  of  the  company  (1902)  are:  E.  Beard, 
president;  E.  Hill,  general  manager  and  treasurer;  E. 
Hill,  Jr.,  superintendent;  H.  H.  Mossman,  foundry 
agent.  The  directors  are  E.  Beard,  John  H.  Ferris,  W. 
F.  Bishop,  E.  Hill  and  E.  Hill,  Jr. 

For  many  years  previous  to  their  deaths,  Geo.  G. 
Bishop  and  Henry  I.  Hoyt  were  directors  in  the  com- 
pany. 

The  Nonvalk  Iron  Works  Co.  is  the  successor  of 
the  Nonvalk  Iron  Works  Corporation,  organized  Oct. 
5th,  1866.  This  corporation  was  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  acquiring  and  bringing  to  Norwalk  the  shafting 
and  machine  business  of  Bullard  &  Parsons  of  Hart- 
ford, but  before  that  was  consummated  the  business  of 
George  Dwight,  Jr.,  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  was  bought 
and  the  company  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  steam 
pumps. 

Prominent  in  the  early  affairs  of  this  company  were 
Henry  I.  Hoyt,  Geo.  G.  Bishop,  Ebenezer  Hill,  (de- 
ceased 1875,  father  of  the  manager  of  the  present  com- 
pany), H.  H.  Elwell.  Dudley  >.  Ely,  A.  E.  Beard, 
George  Dwight,  Jr.,  and  O.  T.  Earle.  D.  P.  Ely  was 
first  president  and  was  succeeded  by  Ebenezer  Hill  and 


Henry  I.  Hoyt.  The  secretary  was  George  Dwight 
Jr.,  followed  from  1868  to  1871  by  E.  J.  Hill  (our  pres- 
ent Congressman).  O.  T.  Earle  was  superintendent, 
followed  by  J.  B.  Waring  and  Fred.  C.  Rowland. 

At  times  a  large  business  was  transacted  in  steam 
pumps  and  engines,  many  being  sent  all  over  the  coun- 
try, particularly  to  the  South.  In  1874  the  property  and 
affairs  were  sold  to  the  present  ov/ners  and  soon  there- 
after a  radical  change  was  made  in  the  line  of  manu- 
facture. The  first  compound  air  compressor  patent  was 
taken  out  by  Mr.  E.  Hill  in  1876.  This  has  been  fol- 
lowed by  many  others  referring  to  improvements  in 
principles  and  in  details. 

STRAW  HATS. 

In  1873  J°nn  P-  Beatty  and  Dexter  Dennis  formed 
a  partnership  for  the  purpose  of  pressing  and  trimming 
foreign  straw  hats ;  also  palm  leaf  hats,  which  at  that 
time  were  braided  in  large  quantities  in  New  England. 
The  business  was  carried  on  in  a  building  occupying 
the  present  site  of  the  Martin  Bates  factory  on  Spring 
street,    South    Norwalk.     This    partnership    continued 
until  1879,  when  the  business  was  taken  by  Mr.  Dennis 
and  carried  on  for  two  years  in  the  Norwalk  Iron  Works 
building.     On  Mr.  Dennis'  death  in   1881,  a  partner- 
ship was   formed  by   Lloyd  E.   Dennis  and  Abiathar 
Blanchard  under  the  firm  name  of  Dennis  &  Blanchard, 
which  has  continued  to' the  present  time.     In  1885  the 
firm  began  the  manufacture  of  hats    from    imported 
Chinese  straw  braids  in  addition  to  their  foreign  hat 
business.     The  braid  hat  work  has  increased  until  the 
principal  attention  is  now  given  to  that  department.    In 
1893  the  business  was  moved  from  the  Norwalk  Iron 
Works  to  the  present  location  in  the  buildings  at  132 
Water  street.    A  bleachery  was  erected  in  1898  for  the 
purpose  of  bleaching  straw  braid.     The  whole  estab- 
lishment now  gives  employment  to  seventy-five  hands 
during  the   busy   season,  work  usually  beginning    in 
August  and  lasting  until  the  first  of  June. 

Arthur  C.  Wheeler,  manufacturer  of  straw  hats,  13 
Butler  street,  Norwalk.  This  establishment  for  many 
years  has  carried  on  a  prosperous  business.  The  goods 
manufactured  include  all  varieties  of  men's  and  women's 
straw  hats.  The  workmanship  has  been  of  such  a  char- 
acter that  Mr.  Wheeler's  name  in  connection  with  the 
straw  hat  business  is  favorably  known  throughout  the 


863 


country.  The  factory  was  established  in  1857  by  John 
P.  Beatty  &  Bro.  In  September,  1888,  Mr.  Wheeler 
took  possession  where  he  now  does  a  thriving  busi- 
ness. The  factories  cover  one  and  one-half  acres  of 
ground.  During  the  busy  season  in  the  neighborhood 
of  two  hundred  operatives  are  employed. 

CORSETS. 

The  R.  &  G.  Corsets  are  so  universally  known  that 
it  is  a  matter  of  pride  for  a  Norwalker  to  refer  to  the 
fact  that  this  well  known  commodity  is  manufactured 
in  our  midst.  The  manufacture  of  corsets  in  South 
Norwalk  was  commenced  in  1880  by  Roth  &  Gold- 
schmidt  in  the  factory  on  Water  street  erected  for  the 
purpose,  now  occupied  by  Austin  &  Craw.  The  firm 
soon  found  the  factory  too  small  for  the  rapidly  in- 
creasing business  and  in  order  to  meet  the  demands  of 
the  trade,  they  had  erected  on  Ann  street  the  present 
commodious  and  model  five  story  factory  which  they 
now  occupy.  The  building  is  equipped  with  every 
modern  factory  convenience.  The  employees  are 
treated  liberally  as  to  wages  and  are  the  recipients  of 
the  blessings  derived  from  a  well  selected  library,  ample 
protection  from  fire  and  many  other  comforts.  The  R. 
&  G.  Corset  Co.  was  incorporated  January  i,  1897, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $200,000.  Th  e  officers  are : 
Emile  H.  Roth,  president;  William  A.  Marble,  vice 
president;  Julius  Goldschmidt,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
The  New  York  offices  are  at  395-399  Broadway  and 
21-23  Mercer  street.  Charles  T.  Dimond  is  the  super- 
intendent of  the  South  Norwalk  factorv.  One  thous- 
and employees  are  given  steady  work  during  the  year 
and  as  a  result  the  firm  produces  650  dozen  corsets 
daily.  The  quality  of  goods  manufactured  is  first  class 
and  as  a  consequence  the  firm's  business  is  increasing 
yearly. 

CIGARS  AND  TOBACCO. 

The  Old  Well  Cigar  Co.,  83  Washington  street,  S. 
N.  Established  1868;  incorporated  1880;  capital,  $10,- 
ooo.  Officers:  Matthew  Corbett,  president;  Christian 
Swartz,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Employees,  40;  daily 
output,  10,000  cigars. 

Fernandez-Ernst  Co.,  83  Washington  street,  S.  N. 
Manufacturer  of  all  Havana  cigars.  Established  July, 

364 


1900;  capital,  $11,000.  Officers:  Modesto  Fernandez, 
president;  George  C.  Ernst,  secretary;  Charles  C. 
Swartz,  treasurer.  Employees,  40;  daily  output,  6,000 
cigars. 

The  Hoyt  &  Olmstead  Co.,  12  South  Main  street, 
S.  N.  Established  1877;  incorporated  1885;  capital, 
$ic,ooo.  Officers:  George  M.  Olmstead,  president;  T. 
G.  Hoyt,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Employees,  30 ;  daily 
output,  5,000  cigars. 

John  Oldenschlager,  104  Washington  street,  S.  N. 
Established  1883.  Manufacturer  of  Cigars  and  To- 
bacco. Employees,  9;  daily  output,  1,200  cigars. 

John  T.  Sheehan,  36  Main  street,  N.  Established 
June  i,  1895.  Employees,  5;  daily  output,  1,000  cigars. 

John  Fitzmaurice,  Main  street,  N.  Established 
Sept.  13,  1900.  Employees,  5 ;  daily  output,  1,000  cigars. 

Other  makers  of  cigars:  John  Schaefrer,  Newtown 
avenue,  N. ;  S.  K.  Stanley,  142  Main  street,  N. ;  John 
Mohring,  166  Washington  street,  S.  N.;  Frederick  T. 
Schlitt,  Stuart  avenue,  S.  N. 

LOCKS  AND  BUILDERS'  HARDWARE. 

The  Norwalk  Lock  Co.,  S.  N.,  for  many  years  has 
been  one  of  our  most  important  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments. It  was  incorporated  in  1856-  During  the 
busy  season  the  works  have  employed  on  an  average 
of  400  to  500  hands.  The  capital  of  the  company  was 
originally  $50,000  which  later  was  increased  to  $230.000. 
Following  are  the  officers:  E.  Beard,  president  and 
treasurer;  D.  E.  Disbrow,  secretary.  Directors,  John 
H.  Ferris,  E.  Hill,  Augustus  F.  Beard,  A.  N.  Wildman, 
W.  F.  Bishop,  Robert  H.  Swayze,  E.  Beard.  The 
specialties  of  the  company  include  every  variety  of  locks 
and  builders'  hardware,  with  several  hundred  patented 
and  leading  designs.  The  company  are  general  de- 
signers, founders  and  workers  of  artistic  house  trim- 
mings in  brass,  bronze  and  iron.  Their  New  York 
office  is  at  32  Warren  street,  where  they  carry  a  heavy 
stock  of  goods. 

The  Lock  wood  Manufacturing  Company,  manu- 
facturers of  Builders'  Hardware,  was  incorporated  May 
1 9th,  1888,  under  the  Connecticut  laws,  with  a  paid-in 
capital  of  $200,000;  the  officers  being  Henry  S.  Lock 
wood,  president  and  treasurer;  Washington  Youngs, 
secretary.  The  works  cover  a  large  area  extending 
through  almost  from  Day  to  Water  street,  South  Nor- 
ses 


walk,  and  consists  of  a  series  of  buildings  ranging  m 
height  from  one  to  four  stories.  In  the  various  depart- 
ments of  the  works  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three 
hundred  operatives  are  employed.  Mr.  Lockwood  per- 
sonally supervises  the  factory,  his  extended  experience 
insuring  a  successful  business. 

WORKERS  IN  METALS. 

•  :  •   •  U/Q: 

The  J.  W.  Craw  Laundry  Machinery  Co.,  40  Water 
street,  S.  N.,  manufacturers  of  Laundry  Machinery  and 
Hospital  Specialties.  Incorporated  1899.  Capital, 
$7,000.  Employees,  12.  John  W.  Craw,  president; 
Frank  C.  Craw,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

William  G.  Le  Count,  246-278  East  avenue,  E.  N., 
manufacturer  of  Machinists'  Tools.  Established  by 
Charles  W.  Le  Count  in  1863.  Succeeded  by  William 
G.  Le  Count  in  1895. 

Julius  W.  Miller,  136  Water  street,  S.  N.,  manu- 
facturer of  all  kinds  of  Hatters'  Tools  and  Machinery. 
Established  1893  by  Julius  W.  Miller.  Employs  7  men. 
Output  about  $500  monthly. 

Norwalk  Pattern  Works  and  Manufacturing  Co., 
Keyser  avenue,  E.  N.  Established  in  1896  by  Aisthorpe 
&  Hatchman,  manufacturers  of  Stoves,  Ranges,  Wood 
and  Iron  Patterns  and  general  jobbing  castings.  The 
firm  employs  thirty  hands.  The  business  is  increasing 
to  such  an  extent  that  the  capacity  of  the  plant  is  short- 
ly to  be  doubled.  The  firm  at  present  turns  out  mer- 
chandise to  the  amount  of  $3,000  monthly. 

Automatic  Tool  Co.,  R.  R.  avenue,  E.  N.  Estab- 
lished by  C.  H.  Jimmerson  and  E.  B.  Robertson  in 
1900.  Manufacturers  of  Sash  Locks,  Curtain  Fixtures, 
Belt  Hooks,  Small  Tools  and  Milk  Bottle  Stoppers. 
Ten  men  are  employed  and  goods  amounting  to  $1,000 
monthly  are  manufactured.  The  firm  has  a  capacity 
for  turning  out  1,000,000  Milk  Stoppers  daily. 

The  Duncan  Iron  Railing  Works,  10  Steamboat 
Place,  S.  N.  Established  by  Duncan  &  Waterbury  in 
1865.  Succeeded  by  William  H.  Hoyt  in  1883,  who 
continued  the  business  under  the  same  firm  name. 
Manufacturer  of  Iron  Fences  and  Railings.  Em- 
ployees, 4. 

William  A.  Wheeler,  133  Water  street,  S.  N.  Es- 
tablished by  William  A.  Wheeler  in  1885.  The  original 
plant  burned  in  1888,  but  was  rebuilt  the  same  year. 
Manufacturer  of  Hatters'  Tools  and  Caps  for  water 

Me 


and  gas  pipes.  A  brass  and  iron  foundry  is  run  in  con- 
nection with  the  factory.  Employees,  8. 

Norwalk  Brass  Co.,  Mechanics  street,  N.  Estab- 
lished December,  1900,  by  C.  F.  Mills,  A.  D.  Crossley 
and  H.  E.  Dann.  The  company  was  reorganized  in 
1901  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.  Manufacturers  of 
Brass,  Bronze  and  Aluminum  goods,  Launch  Engines, 
Etc.  Officers:  Wallace  Dann,  president;  Reed  Hav- 
iland,  secretary;  Oscar  H.  Banks,  treasurer;  H.  E. 
Dann,  general  manager.  The  company  employs  50  men 
and  from  the  rapid  growth  of  the  concern  the  industry 
will  undoubtedly  soon  be  one  of  the  most  important  in 
Norwalk. 

Meeker 's  Union  Foundry,  Smith  street,  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1887  by  A.  J.  Meeker,  S.  B.  Meeker  and  E.  S. 
Meeker.  The  firm  manufactures  a  large  line  of  Stoves 
and  Furnaces  and  does  a  general  jobbing  business. 
Thirty  men  are  employed. 

Ephraim  Merritt,  52  Water  street,  N.  Established 
in  1859.  Iron  Fences,  boat  repairing  and  jobbing. 

Arnold  &  Co.,  Hoyt  street,  N.  Manufacturers  of 
Door  Hangers  and  Hardware  Specialties,  Stoves  and 
Ranges.  Established  in  1870  by  Arnold  &  Son.  Suc- 
ceeded in  1883  by  Arnold,  Doane  &  Co.  Later  suc- 
ceeded by  F.  E.  Smith  and  A.  J.  Doane  under  the  pres- 
ent firm  name.  Mr.  Doane  assumed  the  business  at  the 
death  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  at  the  death  of  Mr.  Doane  in 
1901  the  control  of  the  business  reverted  to  the  estate. 
The  concern  does  a  prosperous  business  and  gives  em- 
ployment to  60  men. 

CONFECTIONERY. 

F  R.  Starr,  62-64  Wall  street,  N.  Established  at 
<*  Wall  street  in  1884  Moved  to  39  Main  street  in  1886 
and  to  the  present  quarters  in  1891.  Manufacturer  of 
Ice  Cream  and  Confectionery. 

F   A    Lane,  51  Washington  street,  S.  N.    Estab- 
lished'in  May,  1889.    Mr.  Lane  does  an  extensive  cater 
ing  business  and  manufactures  Ice  Cream  and  < 

°neHa'rrie  A.  Smith,  39  Main  street,  N.    Established 
in  1897,  succeeding  John  Colby.     Manufacturer  ( 
Cream  nd  Confectionery.  _ 

C  B.  De  Klynn  &  Son,  27  Mam  street,  N.    Manu- 
facturer of  Ice  Cream  and  Confectionery, 
does  an  extensive  bakery  business. 


867 


K.  Kasteantoes,  24  South  Main  street,  S.  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1898.  Manufacturer  of  Ice  Cream  and  Con- 
fectionery. Employees,  3. 

Norwalk  Confectionery  Co.,  21  Main  street,  N. 
Established  in  1895  by  John  Boggraino.  Manufactures 
Ice  Cream  and  Confectionery.  Employees,  4. 

SHIRTS  AND  SHIRT  WAISTS. 

Hutchinson,  Pierce  &  Co.,  whose  large  factory  is 
situated  on  Merwin  street,  N.,  is  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial establishments  in  Norwalk.  Established  in 
1840,  the  concern  with  the  many  changes  occurring  in 
the  meantime,  has  gained  a  reputation  enjoyed  by  few 
manufacturers  of  shirts  and  shirt  waists  in  the  country. 
The  present  company  was  incorporated  in  1895.  The 
officers  are:  H.  B.  Pierce,  president  and  treasurer,  and 
Ira  Cole,  vice  president.  The  firm  employs  about  250 
hands  and  turns  out  a  large  product.  The  Star  shirts, 
shirt-waists,  and  underwear  of  this  house  are  familiar  to 
the  trade  of  the  country  for  their  uniform  and  superior 
workmanship.  The  factory  comprises  three  large  con- 
necting buildings,  two  of  four  stories,  one  three  story 
high,  giving  a  combined  floor  space  of  over  50,000 
square  feet. 

FURS. 

The  firm  of  Martin  Bates,  Jr.,  &  Co.,  is  one  of  the 
pioneer  establishments  in  the  line  of  furs,  its  origin 
dating  back  three  generations  when  Martin  Bates, 
father  of  the  senior  member  of  the  present  firm,  estab- 
lished it  at  the  beginning  of  the  century  just  passed. 
This  firm  has  recently  moved  into  their  new  office  and 
store  in  New  York  City,  23-29  Washington  Place.  The 
industry  of  cutting  furs  for  hatters'  use  is  of  great  im- 
portance to  the  hat  manufacturing  interest,  and  no  firm 
in  the  business  has  the  confidence  of  hat  manufacturers 
more  fully  than  that  of  Martin  Bates,  Jr.,  &  Co.  Their 
factory  is  located  at  79-91  Spring  street,  South  Nor- 
walk, and  is  under  the  management  of  Franklin  A. 
Smith,  who  has  had  charge  of  it  since  it  commenced 
business  here  in  1879.  About  ten  years  ago  Mr.  Smith 
purchased  the  Blanchard  mill  property  and  water  rights 
at  Silver  Mine,  some  four  miles  north  of  Norwalk.  The 
factory  was  remodelled  and  equipped  with  new  machin- 
ery and  has  since  been  kept  in  operation  in  the  manu- 

368 


facturing  of  cheaper  grades  of  hatters'  fur  for  the  firm. 
The  goods  manufactured  by  this  firm  are  sought  after 
by  the  leading  hat  manufacturers  of  the  country  and 
command  the  highest  price  on  account  of  their  uniform 
excellence.  There  are  employed  one  hundred  hands 
and  are  singularly  noted  for  working  full  time  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year.  During  the  twenty-two  years  of 
their  business  here  not  a  single  Saturday's  pay  day  has 
ever  been  missed ;  they  never  run  on  short  time,  always 
having  work  ahead  on  order  and  contract.  At  the  pres- 
ent time  the  demand  for  their  goods  far  exceeds  the 
capacity  of  their  present  facilities  for  manufacturing. 

Joseph  J.  Asch,  manufacturer  of  Hatters'  Furs,  oc- 
cupies a  commodious  factory  on  Monroe  street.  The 
firm  was  established  in  1876  and  has  grown  to  be  one 
of  the  important  industries  in  South  Norwalk.  A  fire 
destroyed  the  originl  factory  in  1884,  the  building  now 
occupied  by  Mr.  Asch  on  the  old  site  being  rebuilt.  In 
connection  with  the  extensive  fur  business  the  firm  car- 
ries on  hat  forming  to  a  considerable  extent.  The  im- 
portation of  all  kinds  of  furs  used  in  the  manufacture 
of  hats  is  an  important  factor  in  the  business  of  the 
firm.  Mr.  Asch  gives  employment  to  about  two  hun- 
dred operatives. 

R.  G.  Millard,  West  Norwalk.  Established  in  1875. 
Manufacturer  of  Hatters'  Furs.  Employs  16  hands. 

OVERCOATINGS. 

Norwalk  Mills  Co.,  located  on  the  line  of  the  N. 
Y.,  N.  H.  &  H.  R.  R.  at  Winnipauk,  N.,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  substantial  manufactories  of  the  town. 
The  company  was  originally  established  in   1863  and 
reorganized  in  October,    1877.     The    capital  stock  is 
$100,000.     The  officers  are  as  follows:  J.  A.  Osborne, 
president;  E.  J.  Hill,  vice  president;  F.  A.  Hill,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer;  T.  J.  West,  general  manager, 
company  manufactures  Overcoatings  exclusively 
quality  of  the  goods  is  of  such  a  high  order  that 
product    of   the   extensive    plant    is    favorably    known 
throughout  the   country.     The  area  of  the    plant 
480x200  feet.    Two  hundred  employees  are  given  steady 
employment.    As  a  result  of  their  labor  the  annual  out- 
put of  the  factory  is  300,000  yards. 


369 


BOXES. 

Charles  S.  Trowbridge,  129  Washington  street,  S. 
N.,  manufacturer  of  all  kinds  of  Paper  Boxes  and 
Wooden  Cases.  Established  by  Robert  H.  Rowan  in 
1860.  Succeeded  by  Charles  S.  Trowbridge  in  1881. 
Mr.  Trowbridge  employs  over  one  hundred  box  makers. 
It  is  the  largest  box  manufacturing  establishment  in 
Norwalk,  having  an  extensive  business  throughout  New 
England  and  New  York  State. 

Charles  S.  St.  John,  maker  of  Cigar  Boxes  and 
dealer  in  Ribbons,  27  Marshall  street,  S.  N.  Estab- 
lished by  Giles  Haulenbeck  in  1873.  Succeeded  by 
Charles  S.  St.  John  in  1888.  Employees,  5 ;  daily  output, 
400  cigar  boxes.  The  first  and  only  cigar  box  factory 
in  Norwalk. 

Norwalk  Box  Co.,  42  North  Main  street,  S.  N., 
manufcturers  of  Paper  Boxes  and  Wooden  Cases.  In- 
corporated July  13,  1899.  Henry  F.  Clark,  president; 
F.  A.  Hine,  secretary  and  treasurer;  F.  A.  Burr,  man- 
ager. 

William  H.  Knapp,  134  Water  street,  S.  N.,  maker 
of  all  kinds  of  Wooden  Boxes.  Established  in  1882  by 
Edward  F.  Knapp.  Succeeded  in  1897  by  William  H. 
Knapp.  Employs  10  men.  Capacity,  250  boxes  per 
day. 

POTTERY. 

One  of  the  oldest  manufactories  in  Norwalk  is  the 
Norwalk  Pottery  Co.,  located  at  6  Smith  street,  foot 
of  Mill  Hill.  It  was  established  in  1833  by  Asa  E. 
Smith,  succeeded  in  turn  by  Asa  Smith,  Hobert  Smith 
and  James  Lycett.  The  firm  as  now  conducted  was  es- 
tablished in  1898  by  Thomas  L.  Peck.  All  kinds  of 
Pottery  is  manufactured. 

FELTS. 

Lounsbury,  Bissell  &  Co.,  Winnipauk,  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1840  by  J.  D.  Lounsbury,  who  was  succeeded 
by  E.  C.  Bissell.  The  company  was  incorporated  in 
1869  with  a  capital  stock  of  $200,000.  The  following 
are  the  present  officers:  C.  C.  Betts,  president;  E.  L. 
Boyer,  secretary  and  treasurer.  E.  L.  Boyer,  J.  C.  Ran- 
dall, G.  S.  Holmes,  J.  A.  Osborn,  C.  C.  B'etts,  directors. 
The  main  mill  is  a  large  stone  structure,  68x113  feet  in 

870 


dimensions  and  three  stories  in  height.  The  company's 
plant  also  includes  many  other  buildings.  All  told  the 
plant  covers  an  area  of  about  50,000  square  feet,  fitted 
with  every  modern  appliance  and  machinery.  In  times 
past  the  company  manufactured  all  kinds  of  feltings 
and  felt  linings,  but  at  present  the  capacity  of  the  plant 
is  taxed  in  the  manufacture  of  gun  wads.  The  com- 
pany gives  employment  to  60  operatives.  ' 

SODA  WATER. 

H.  J.  &  G.  S.  Grumman,  41  Main  street,  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1870  by  Sylvester  Grumman  at  55  Main 
street.  Succeeded  by  the  present  firm  in  1882.  Manu- 
facturers of  all  kinds  of  carbonated  beverages.  The 
firm's  specialty  is  "The  Olden  Time  Root  Beer."  This 
has  been  on  the  market  over  fifty  years,  the  receipt  for 
making  the  same  having  been  handed  down  from  their 
grandfather.  The  output  of  root  beer  is  15,000  gallons 
annually.  The  daily  output  of  other  beverages  is  150 
cases.  Employees,  10. 

Walter  T.  Gray,  manufacturer  of  Soda  and  Mineral 
Waters.  Established  by  Walter  T.  Gray  in  1874.  Suc- 
ceeded by  Mrs.  W.  T.  Gray,  after  husband's  decease,  in 
1895.  Output  TOO  cases  per  day.  Employees,  4. 

Baker  &  Curtis,  19  Wood  street.  Established  by 
Samuel  S.  Baker  and  John  W.  Curtis  in  1902.  Manu- 
facturer of  Soda  Water  and  all  carbonated  beverages. 
Employ  2  men.  Capacity,  50  cases  daily. 

SHOES. 

One  of  the  oldest  industrial  establishments  in  Fair- 
field  county  is  the  firm  of  Lounsbury,  Mathewson  & 
Co.,  manufacturers  of  Fine  Shoes,  at  5  Haviland  street, 
S.  N.  Some  of  the  original  partners  have  withdrawn 
from  the  business,  but  a  progressive  policy  has  always 
characterized  the  firm,  resulting  in  a  prosperous  busi- 
ness. The  present  partners  in  the  firm  are  Ex-Gov- 
ernor George  E.  Lounsbury,  Col.  Edwin  H.  Mathew- 
son, Herbert  A.  Mathewson,  Lewis  R.  Hurlbutt  and 
George  L.  Rockwell.  The  company  occupies  a  large 
brick  building,  thirty-eight  feet  front  and  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five  feet  deep,  and  four  floors,  supplied  with 
the  latest  and  best  improved  machinery  for  the  making 
of  shoes,  and  employs  three  hundred  hands.  The 
product  of  the  factory  is  ladies'  fine  shoes.  No  shoe 


manufactory  enjoys  a  higher  reputation  for  excellence 
of  goods  put  upon  the  market. 

H.  S.  Brown,  172  Washington  street,  S.  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1896.  Manufacturer  of  Children's  Shoes. 
Employees,  8.  Output,  175  pairs  weekly. 

MISCELLANEOUS  PRODUCTS. 

Austin  &  Craw,  71  Water  street,  S.  N.,  manufac- 
turers of  Toys,  Games  and  Novelties.  Established  in 
1892.  Employees,  15. 

Charles  S.  Ireland,  12  Elm  Grove  street,  S.  N., 
manufacturer  and  repairer  of  Awnings. 

United  States  Alcohol  Refining  Co.,  Day  street,  S. 
N.  Incorporated  in  1901 ;  capital  stock,  $20,000.  Offi- 
cers: R.  J.  McFarland,  president;  William  B.  Hubbell, 
treasurer;  O.  P.  Kauffmann,  secretary  and  chemist. 
Refiners  of  wood  alcohols.  Employs  2  men.  Output, 
20  barrels  daily. 

Tilly  Carriage  Works,  61  North  Main  street,  S.  N. 
Established  1874  by  Henry  Tilly.  Manufacturer  of 
Wagons,  Carriages  and  Signs.  Employs  9  men. 

Luther  M.  Wright,  3  Madison  street,  S.  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1886.  Manufacturer  of  Wagons,  Carriages 
and  Automobiles.  Mr.  Wright  has  a  commodious  car- 
riage repository  and  does  an  extensive  blacksmith  busi- 
ness. He  employs  20  men. 

Norwalk  Launch  Co.,  Pine  Island.  Established 
1899  by  G.  F.  Betts,  C.  R.  Taylor  and  C,  L.  Barker. 
Succeeded  in  1902  by  C.  L.  Barker,  who  conducts  the 
business  at  the  present  time.  The  capacity  of  the  plant 
is  taxed  to  the  utmost  in  the  manufacture  of  Launches 
and  Gas  Engines.  Ten  men  are  employed. 

Andrew  W.  Fowler,  Sail  Maker,  149  Washington 
street,  S.  N.  The  business  was  originally  established 
in  1868  by  Benjamin  Robinson,  who  carried  on  the 
business  of  sail  making  for  thirty-three  years.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Andrew  W.  Fowler.  He  manufactures 
Sails  and  Awnings.  Mr.  Fowler  is  88  years  of  age  and 
has  been  employed  in  the  sail  making  business  for  73 
years,  having  in  his  possession  the  documents  showing 
when,  at  the  age  of  15  years,  he  was  "bound  out." 

Challenge  Mfg.  Co.,  29  Haviland  street,  S.  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1899  by  William  H.  Meeker.  Manufacturer 
of  Water  Heaters  and  Gas  Stoves.  Employees,  15. 
Yearly  output,  900  Heaters  and  1,500  Stoves. 

Loxa  Pharmaceutical  Co.    Established  in  1889  by 


G.  C.  Stillson.  Succeeded  in  1902  by  Stillson-Powell 
Corporation.  Manufacturers  of  Stillson's  specific  for 
chills  and  fever,  "Loxa  Tonic." 

Raymond  Remedy  Co.,  Elm  Grove,  S.  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1882  by  A.  A.  Raymond.  Manufacturers  of 
Medicated  Soaps. 

Dr.  Dicks  Medicine  Co.,  64  South  Main  street,  S. 
N.  Established  June,  1901,  by  Miss  Gertrude  Bohan- 
nan.  Manufacturers  of  Proprietary  Medicine  for  rheu- 
matism and  malaria. 

James  L.  Hoyt,  3  Cove  street,  E.  N.  Manufac- 
turer of  the  celebrated  Le  Count  Cribbage  Boards. 
Succeeded  William  G.  Le  Count  in  1897. 

F.  Boylston,  Rowayton.     Established  in  1872  by 
Francis  Boylston.    Mr.  Boylston  has  the  distinction  of 
building  the  first  baby  carriage,  on  springs,  offered  for 
sale  in  the  United  States.     He  is  a  large  manufacturer 
of  Invalid  Chairs.     Employees,  4. 

Hanlon  Bros.,  3-5  Wall  street,  N.  Established  in 
1880  by  John  J.  and  W.  P.  Hanlon.  Manufacturers  of 
Hanlon's  Baking  Powder  and  Shirt  Waist  Starch.  Em- 
ployees, 6.  Annual  output,  $60,000. 

Norwalk  Hygeia  Ice  Mfg.  &  Refrigerating  Co.,  138 
Water  street,  S.  N.  Established  in  1902  by  Dufenbach 
&  Johnson.  Manufacturers  of  Ice.  An  important 
branch  of  the  business  is  Cold  Storage.  Area  of  build- 
ing, 96x45.  Capacity,  17  tons  in  24  hours.  Employees,  9. 
Colonial  Mfg.  Co.,  3  Wall  street,  N.  Established  in 
1892  by  H.  E.  Dann.  Succeeded  by  present  corporation 
in  190*1.  Capital,  $60,000.  H.  E.  Dann,  president;  W. 
A.  Curtis,  treasurer;  F.  E.  Wilcox,  secretary;  F.  S. 
Ambler,  vice  president  and  manager.  Manufacturers 
of  all  kinds  of  horse  remedies. 

G.  N.  McKibbin  Mfg.  Co.,  52  Water  street,  S.  N. 
Incorporated  March,  1901.    Manufacturers  of  a  general 
line  of  machinery.    G.  N.  McKibbin,  president ;  W.  R. 
Thompson,  secretary  and  treasurer.     Employees,  7. 

John  G.  Pugsley,  manufacturer  of  the  Universal 
and  Excelsior  Ankle  Supporters  and  Straight  Walking 
Soles.  Established  by  Pugsley  &  Smith  in  1886.  Suc- 
ceeded in  1888  by  Pugsley  &  Golden.  Succeeded  by 
Pugsley  &  Smith  in  1889.  Mr.  Pugsley  has  carried  on 
the  business  since  1890.  Capacity,  100  pairs  daily.  Em- 
ployees, 6. 

Edwin  L.  Monroe,  19  Mechanic  street,  N.  ,stab- 
lished  in  1897.  Manufacturer  of  all  kinds  of  Baskets. 

The  Norwalk  Extract  Co.,  1-5  Wall  street,  N.    Es- 

378 


tablished  in  1889  by  F.  S.  Ambler  &  Co.  Manufactur- 
ers of  Flavoring  Extracts  and  Grocer  and  Druggist 
Supplies.  Employees,  5. 

E.  H.  Hotchkiss  Co.,  6-8  Hoyt  street,  N.  Incor- 
porated in  1893.  E.  H.  Hotchkiss,  president;  W.  A. 
Curtis,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Manufacturers  of 
Automatic  Paper  Fastening  Machines  and  Automatic 
Tackers.  The  company  does  an  extensive  exporting 
business,  sending  goods  to  almost  every  country  on  the 
globe.  The  paper  fastening  machine  is  the  only  auto- 
matic machine  of  the  kind  in  the  market.  Employees,  30. 

Curtis  &  Comstock,  32  Knight  street,  N.  Estab- 
lished Jan.  i,  1900,  by  Seymour  Curtis  and  Willard  S. 
Comstock.  Manufacturers  of  Overalls  and  Mechanics' 
Clothing.  Employees,  25. 

Pierson  Mfg.  Co.,  corner  of  Wall  and  High  streets, 
N.  Established  May,  1901.  Manufacturers  of  Overalls 
and  Mechanics'  Clothing.  Employees,  20. 

Jerome  Paper  Co.,  Water  street,  N.  New  York 
offices,  570  Seventh  avenue.  Established  in  1890.  Man- 
ufacturers of  all  kinds  of  Roll  and  Bunch  Toilet  Papers. 
Employees,  20. 

The  Norwalk  Poultry  Yards,  located  on  Water 
street,  N.  Established  in  December,  1900,  by  F.  E. 
Vail  and  George  A.  Comstock.  The  yards  have  an  area 
of  five  acres  with  450  feet  of  buildings.  The  firm  raises 
exhibition  poultry,  broilers  and  eggs  for  marketing. 

HATTING. 

Hat  Forming  Co.,  Railroad  avenue,  S.  N.  Incor- 
porated in  1874.  Original  capital  stock,  $10,000;  in- 
creased to  $35,000.  Officers:  Alden  Solmans,  presi- 
dent; W.  H.  Benedict,  treasurer;  S.  C.  Palmer,  secre- 
tary. Directors:  W.  H.  Benedict,  James  H.  Knapp, 
Edwin  Adams,  Alden  Solmans,  S.  C.  Palmer.  The 
company  manufactures  hat  bodies  and  is  one  of  South 
Norwalk's  most  important  industries,  giving  employ- 
ment to  a  large  number  of  men  during  the  busy  season. 

The  leading  and  most  flourishing  concern  engaged 
in  the  production  of  hats,  and  which  has  been  for  many 
years  past,  is  the  Crofut  &  Knapp  Company,  with  an 
enormous  factory  of  all  the  modern  improvements  and 
appliances  of  every  kind  located  on  the  corner  of  Day 
and  Tolles  street.  This  firm  is  a  corporation  organ- 
ized under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  and 
has  as  its  officers  James  H.  Knapp,  president;  Philip 

374 


N.  Knapp,  vice  president ;  and  William  W.  Lester,  sec- 
retary and  treasurer.  The  superintendent  of  this  vast 
concern  is  John  J.  Cavanaugh.  All  of  these  gentlemen 
are  extensive  stockholders  in  the  company.  Besides 
having  this  factory,  the  company  has  a  suite  of  offices 
at  No.  840  Broadway,  and  the  sales  from  this  office  and 
the  office  located  at  No.  44  Bedford  street,  Boston, 
Mass.,  are  enormous.  The  capital  stock  of  the  corpor- 
ation is  $100,000,  divided  into  1,000  shares  of  $100.00 
each,  of  which  the  sum  of  $25,000  is  paid  in  capital  in 
cash. 

The  factory  was  organized  as  a  copartnership  about 
the  year  1860,  with  its  building  located  on  the  corner  of 
North  Main  and  Union  streets.  The  partners  were  A. 
J.  Crofut  and  James  H.  Knapp.  Business  was  carried 
on  in  this  establishment  until  the  year  1893,  when  it 
was  decided  to  increase  the  manufacturing  business. 
For  that  reason  another  tract  of  land  was  bought  and 
a  large  factory  was  erected  on  the  corner  of  Day  and 
Tolles  streets,  and  the  firm  continued  to  do  business 
in  both  places,  until  they  decided  to  form  a  joint  stock 
corporation,  and  forthwith  were  organized  under  the 
laws  of  Connecticut,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000, 
and  a  paid  up  capital  of  $25,000  cash  money.  The  stock 
was  divided  into  1,000  shares  of  $100  each  and  was 
readily  taken  up.  The  new  corporation  began  to  boom 
things,  and  in  a  year  and  a  half  it  was  found  that  the 
two  factories  could  not  accommodate  the  necessary  ap- 
pliances for  the  carrying  on  of  the  rapidly  increasing 
business.  A  meeting  was  called  and  it  was  decided  to 
procure  more  property  adjoining  the  Day  and  Tolles 
streets  property,  which  was  accordingly  done,  and  a 
building  of  the  most  improved  and  spacious  kind  was 
erected,  into  which  the  firm  moved  in  1896,  and  where 
it  is  at  present  installed  and  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  the  finest  and  most  extensive  grade  of  hats  chat 
is  manufactured  in  the  New  England  States  to-day. 

The  annual  output  of  the  factory  is  up  ward  of  20,000 
dozens  of  hats,  and  three-quarters  of  this  production 
is  of  the  fine  grade.    The  credit  of  the  large  increase  is 
due  entirely  to  the  present  officers,  who  have  held  the 
same  office  for  some  time,  and  whose  energy  and  ap- 
plication of  modern  business  methods  have  made  the 
company  what  it  is  to-day.    They  are  engaged  in  t 
making  of  every  kind  and  form  of  hat,  and  also  make  i 
specialty  of  the  coach  and  police  hat  of  fine  grade, 
have  supplied  for  a  long  time  the  New  \ork  po 

375 


force,  the  police  of  Boston,  Lynn,  and  other  large  cities 
with  helmets,  and  have  received  the  highest  of  *atisfac~- 
tion,  and  are  spoken  of  by  many  as  being  a  fine  type  of 
workmanship. 

When  the  firm  first  started  business  there  were  just 
fifty  men  employed,  and  that  number  has  gradually  in- 
creased, until  to-day  the  firm  employs  anywhere  from 
350  to  400  men.  Hatting  in  South  Nor  walk  was 
brought  to  birth,  a  person  might  say,  by  the  C.  &  K. 
Co.,  and  was  fostered  as  a  child  by  them,  until  to-day  it 
stands  as  one  of  the  best  and  most  improved  hat  manu- 
factories of  the  western  part  of  Connecticut. 

The  Volk  Hat  Company,  corner  of  Raymond  and 
Day  streets,  S.  N.,  is  a  representative  concern  whose 
goods  are  widely  known  throughout  the  country.  The 
business  was  established  in  1875  by  Francis  A.  Volk 
and  Joseph  A.  Volk  under  the  firm  name  of  Francis  A. 
Volk  &  Bro.  In  1880,  owing  to  the  death  of  Francis 
A.  Volk,  the  firm  was  reorganized,  Joseph  A.  Volk  as- 
sociating himself  with  Henry  I.  Smith  and  Christian 
Swartz,  the  firm  being  known  as  the  Volk  Hat  Com- 
pany. The  company  was  incorporated  at  this  time, 
having  as  officers  Christian  Swartz,  president;  Joseph 
A.  Volk,  secretary  and  treasurer  and  general  manager ; 
Henry  I.  Smith,  superintendent.  The  present  officers 
are  as  follows:  Christian  Swartz,  president;  Joseph  A. 
Volk,  secretary  and  treasurer;  James  H.  Flynn,  super- 
intendent. The  excellent  quality  of  hats  manufactured 
has  given  the  firm  a  very  high  reputation  with  the  trade, 
owing  largely  to  Mr.  Volk's  close  attention  to  the 
business. 

Otto  Barthol,  manufacturer  of  Hats  in  the  rough. 
Established  Nov.  5,  1880,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hub- 
bell  &  Barthol.  Partnership  dissolved  Nov.  5,  1890,  the 
business  being  continued  by  Mr.  Barthol  until  May, 
1901,  at  which  time  the  corporation  Otto  Barthol  Co. 
was  organized  with  a  capital  of  $50,000.  Otto  Barthol, 
president;  William  Moran,  vice  president;  Edward  W. 
Beard,  treasurer.  The  corporation's  factory  is  one  of 
the  most  complete  in  the  country.  It  has  a  daily  capac- 
ity of  loo  dozens.  Employees,  80. 

Universal  Hat  Company,  corner  of  Clay  street  and 
Railroad  avenue.  S.  N.  Established  originally  in  1875 
by  William  A.  Brown.  Succeeded  in  1888  by  Univer- 
sal Hat  Co.  Manufacturers  of  stiff  and  soft  hats.  Em- 
ployees, 6.  Weekly  output,  24  dozen. 

Norwalk  Hat    Company,  50  Water  street,   S.  N. 


Originally  established  in  1887  as  the  South  Norwalk 
Hat  Co.  Succeeded  by  the  Norwalk  Hat  Co.  in  1898. 
The  members  of  the  company  are  John  J.  Murphv  j.ncl 
E.  H.  Bush.  They  manufacture  a  fine  grade 'of  Stiff 
Hats,  giving  employment  to  25  hands. 

William  B.  Hubbell,  22  Woodward  avenue,  S.  N. 
Established  November,  1891.  Manufacturer  of  hats  in 
the  rough.  Mr.  Hubbell's  factory  is  finely  equipped 
and  the  50  men  employed  receive  liberal  wages.  The 
daily  output  is  75  dozen  hats. 

Hoyt,  Wolthausen  &  Co.,  Day  street,  S.  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1895  by  H.  W.  Hoyt  and  F.  Wolthausen. 
Partnership  dissolved  May  I,  1902.  Wolthausen  Hat 
Co.  formed.  Incorporated  May  i,  1902.  Capital  stock, 
$25,000.  L.  R.  Bouton,  president;  F.  Wolthausen, 
secretary  and  treasurer.  Manufacturers  of  hats  in  the 
rough.  Employees,  75.  Capacity,  100  dozen  daily. 

Espenscheid  Hat  Co.  Incorporated  April  3,  1902, 
by  Charles  C.  Settle  and  Edwin  C.  Godfrey.  Manu- 
facturers of  Trimmed  Hats,  soft,  stiff  and  flexible. 
Charles  C.  Settle,  president;  Edwin  C.  Godfrey,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  Capacity,  40  dozen  daily.  Em- 
ployees, 40. 

A.  A.  Hodshon  &  Co.,  53  Railroad  Place,  S.  N. 
Established  June  I,  1898,  by  A.  A.  Hodshon,  Frederick 
Pitzer  and  Frederick  Earth ol.  Manufacturers  of  hats 
in  the  rough  only.  Daily  output,  24  dozen.  Employees, 
18. 

J.  C.  Wilson  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  fine  fur  hats, 
occupy  a  commodious  factory  on  the  corner  of  Cross 
and  South  Main  streets,  S.  N.  The  first  factory  on 
this  site  was  erected  in  1885  by  the  Co-operative  Hat 
Co.,  as  the  outcome  of  the  great  strike.  The  building 
burned  and  in  its  place  was  erected  the  present  build- 
ing. J.  C.  Wilson  took  possession  in  1886  and  has 
since  conducted  his  large  business  there,  giving  employ- 
ment to  150  hands.  A  fine  grade  of  hats  is  manufac- 
tured and  the  business  is  rapidly  increasing. 

WOOLEN  GOODS. 

The  Norwalk  &  Fairfield  Worsted  Co.  is  one  of  the 
substantial  manufacturing  concerns  of  the  town  and 
does  a  large  business  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen 
goods.  In  November,  1901,  the  present  company  vas 
established  and  it  was  incorporated  in  March,  1902, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000.  The  officers  are  E.  M. 

•77 


Andrews,  president;  E.  H.  Smith,  treasurer;  W.  R. 
Adams,  secretary.  The  large  plant  on  Belden  avenue 
and  Cross  street  might  be  referred  to  as  one  of  the 
town's  landmarks  owing  to  the  many  years  it  has  been 
used  for  the  manufacture  of  felt  and  woolen  goods. 
The  company  gives  employment  to  125  men. 

WORKERS  IN  WOOD. 

H.  W.  Mathers,  131  Water  street,  S.  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1895.  Manufacturer  of  Sash,  Blinds  and 
Trimmings.  Mr.  Mathers  also  does  a  general  carpen- 
ter business,  giving  employment  to  12  men.  The  out- 
put of  his  factory  is  about  $1,000  monthly. 

Riverside  Mills,  Riverside  avenue,  E.  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1889  by  M  D.  Randall.  Succeeded  by  Nor- 
walk  Building  Co.  in  1898.  Succeeded  by  Leslie  Gam- 
ble in  1900.  Manufacturer  of  Sash,  Blinds,  Doors, 
Window  Frames,  Mouldings  and  Trimmings,  and  all 
kinds  of  turned  work.  Employees,  17.  Weekly  output 
about  $2,000  completed  work. 

Carman  &  Seymour,  Riverside  avenue,  E.  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1899  by  S.  T.  Carman  and  F.  S.  Seymour. 
Manufacturers  of  Mouldings  and  Wood  Trimmings. 
Employees,  3. 

Hatch,  Bailey  &  Co.,  corner  of  Water  and  Marshall 
streets.  The  business  was  originally  carried  on  by  Burr 
Knapp  and  Henry  R.  Fitch.  They  dissolved  partnership 
in  1878  and  the  business  was  continued  by  Burr  Knapp. 
He  was  succeeded  by  the  present  firm  in  1881.  The 
firm  is  composed  of  James  S.  Bailey,  Edward  F.  Bailey 
and  Stephen  S.  Hatch.  Manufacturers  of  Doors,  Sash, 
Blinds,  Window  Frames,  Mouldings  and  all  kinds  of 
turned  work.  Employees,  15. 

A.  R.  Malkin  &  Co.,  3-7  Mechanic  street,  N.  Es- 
tablished in  1885  at  74  Franklin  avenue.  Have  occu- 
pied the  present  commodious  quarters  since  1890. 
Manufacturers  of  Mantels,  Office  Fixtures  and  all  kinds 
of  wooden  trimmings.  Employees,  50. 

J.  S.  Morgan,  12  Steamboat  Place,  S.  N.  Estab- 
lished in  1890.  Builder  of  Stairs. 

East  Norwalk  Lumber  Co.  Incorporated  in  1896. 
Capital  stock,  $12,000.  M.  D.  Randall,  president  and 
treasurer;  Horace  Hubbell,  vice  president;  James  Hall, 
secretary.  Succeeded  by  Hubbell,  Hall  &  Randall  Co. 
in  1902.  Capital  stock,  $49,000. 

Rl 


OYSTERS. 

An  article  appears  elsewhere  on  the  oyster  industry 
which  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  Norwalk's  en- 
terprises. Our  oysters  are  known  around  the  world  for 
their  superior  quality.  Among  the  prominent  planters 
and  shippers  are  William  H.  Hoyt  &  Son,  the  H.  Row- 
land Co.,  the  Northport  Oyster  Co.,  Richard  J.  Cutbill, 
Jarnes  W.  Hoyt,  Martineau  &  Lawson,  Addison  H. 
Merrill,  George  H.  Shaffer,  Sharrott  &  Son,  Ernest 
W.  Tallmadge,  George  N.  Warren,  Charles  W.  Rein- 
son,  Theodore  S.  Lowndes,  Elbert  F.  Lockwood, 
George  W.  Kinsley,  S.  J.  &  C.  S.  Byxbee,  Isaac  Ste- 
vens, Charles  W.  Bell,  Edward  Smith,  John  De  Waters, 
George  Stevens,  John  L'Hommedieu,  John  Planter,  Jr., 
Albert  Crockett,  Hiram  Taylor,  Andrew  Mills,  Daniel 
Wicks,  Hickson  Cole. 


873 


PRESIDENTIAL  VOTE  OF  THE  TOWN 
OF   NORWALK    FOR    SIXTY   YEARS 

The  following  figures  represent  the  number  of 
votes  received  for  the  electoral  ticket  pledged  to 
support  the  candidates  for  President  below  mentioned. 
The  figures  of  the  highest  electoral  vote  have  been 
furnished  by  the  Secretary  of  State  of  Connecticut. 

1840.     William  Henry  Harrison Whig 426 

Martin  Van  Buren Democrat 1 19 

1844.     Henry  Clay Whig 471 

James  K.  Polk Democrat 256 

1848.     Zachary  Taylor Whig 482 

Lewis  Cass Democrat 182 

1852.     Winfield  Scott Whig 489 

Franklin  Pierce Democrat 342 

1856.     John  C.  Fremont Republican 570 

James  Buchanan Democrat 375 

Millard  Fillmore Native  American .  101 

1860.    Abraham  Lincoln Republican 746 

Stephen  A.  Douglas Democrat 244 

John  Cabell  Breckenridge Democrat 144 

John  Bell Native  American .  89 

1864.     Abraham  Lincoln Republican 818 

George  B.  McClellan Democrat 610 

1868.     U.  S.  Grant i Republican 1117 

Horatio  Seymour Democrat 751 

1872.     U.  S.  Grant Republican 1122 

Horace  Greeley Democrat 972 

1876.     R.  B.  Hayes Republican 1358 

Samuel  J.  Tilden Democrat 1245 

1880.     James  A.  Garfield Republican 1586 

Winfield  Scott  Hancock Democrat 1271 

1884.     James  G.  Blaine Republican 1351 

Grover  Cleveland Democrat 1560 

1888.     Benjamin   Harrison Republican 1591 

Grover  Cleveland Democrat 1940 

1892.     Benjamin  Harrison Republican 1974 

Grover  Cleveland Democrat 2101 

1896.     William   McKinley Republican 2299 

William  J.  Bryan Democrat 1 129 

1890.     William   McKinley Republican 2525 

William  J.  Bryan Democrat 1551 

880 


CITY    OF    SOUTH     NORWALK 

Joseph  R.  Taylor. 

POUTH  NORWALK,  formerly  called  "Old 
Well,"  was  organized  a  city  August 

1 8,  1870,  under  a  charter  granted  by 
the  Legislature  of  Connecticut,  July 
5th  of  the  same  year.     This  charter 
was  revised  by  the  Legislature  April 

19,  1882,  and  the  city  continued  its 
existence  under  this  revised  charter 

until  May  27,  1897,  when  the  Legislature  approved  a 
revised  and  amended  charter,  under  which  the  city  has 
since  continued  and  worked. 

The  city  is  beautifully  located  on  the  shore  of 
Long  Island  Sound,  and  has  direct  communication 
with  New  York  City  by  rail  and  water.  These  means 
of  communication  with  the  commercial  metropolis  of 
the  country  have  been  of  great  advantage  in  the 
encouragement  and  development  of  the  manufacturing 
interests  of  the  city.  The  result  has  naturally  been 
that  the  city  has  become  the  manufacturing  part  of 
the  town  of  Norwalk,  and  within  its  borders  are 
located  manufactories  that  supply  their  trade  world- 
wide. 

The  population  ,of  the  city  at  the  time  of  its 
organization  was  about  2,200.  Its  population  in  1900 
was  6,591 ;  a  steady  and  healthful  growth,  proportion- 
ately far  greater  during  the  later  years  of  the  city's  life 
than  the  earlier. 

The  city  has  17  miles  of  streets.  Many  of  the 
streets  are  macadamized  and  others  are  paved  with 
brick  and  Belgian  block. 

The  executive  functions  of  the  city  are  vested  in 
a  Mayor,  and  its  Legislative  in  a  Council  of  six  mem- 
bers, all  elected  annually.  The  expenditures  made  by 
the  Council  are  appropriated  by  city  meeting,  and  no 
special  expenditure  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars 
can  be  made  by  the  Council  until  approved  at  a  city 
meeting. 

In  recent .  years  the  labors  of  the  Council  have 
been  considerably  lightened  by  the  establishment  of 
commissions  in  several  of  the  departments,  all  but  one 
of  which  (the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners)  have 

881 


been  established  by,  and  work  under  the  direction  of, 
the  Council. 

The  city  has  for  years  owned  its  water  system, 
and  has  been  constantly  and  wisely  adding  thereto. 
This  system  is  managed  and  conducted  by  a  board  of 
three  commissioners,  one  of  which  is  elected  annually 
for  the  term  of  three  years. 

The  Fire  Department  of  the  city  is  voluntary,  and 
consists  of  one  hook  and  ladder  company  and  one  hose 
company,  comprising  together  upwards  of  150  active 
members.  The  service  has  been  of  the  best,  as  the 
comparative  freedom  from  fire  loss  throughout  the 
city  will  attest.  The  high  order  of  excellence  of  fire 
service  has  ever  been  maintained  with  very  small 
expense  to  the  city. 

The  executives  of  the  city,  since  its  organization, 
have  been  as  follow : 

Dudley  P.  Ely,  1870,  1871  and  1872;  Walter  C. 
Quintard,  1873,  1874  and  1875;  Dudley  P.  Ely,  1876 
and  1877;  Winfield  S.  Hanford,  1878;  Walter  C. 
Quintard,  1879;  Christian  Swartz,  1880;  Edwin  Adams, 
1881;  Christian  Swartz,  1882;  Peter  L.  Cunningham, 
1883;  Richard  H.  Golden,  1884;  Nelson  Taylor,  Jr., 
1885;  John  L.  Richards,  1886;  William  B.  Hubbell, 
1887  and  1888;  Frank  Comstock,  1889;  Edwin  Wilcox, 
1890;  William  B.  Reed,  1891  and  1892;  George  Lock- 
wood,  1893;  Mortimer  M.  Lee,  1894,  1895  an(^  1896; 
Charles  G.  Bohannan,  1897  and  1898;  J.  Milton 
Coburn,  1899;  Charles  G.  Bohannan,  1900;  Mortimer 
M.  Lee,  1901  and  1902. 

The  clerk  of  the  city  is  ex-officio  clerk  of  the 
Council.  A  remarkable  fact  in  connection  with  this 
office  is  that  every  incumbent  since  the  city's  incorpor- 
ation is  now  living. 

The  clerks  of  the  city,  since  its  organization,  have 
been  as  follow: 

Walter  T.  Buckingham,  1870,  1871;  Edwin  Wilcox, 
1872,  1873;  John  W.  Craw,  1874,  1875;  John  W.  Craw 
and  Edwin  Wilcox,  1876;  Edwin  Wilcox,  1877,  1878, 
1879,  1880,  1881,  1882,  1883,  1884,  1885,  1886  and 
1887;  Robert  M.  Wilcox,  1888;  Edmund  E.  Crowe, 
1889,  1890;  Robert  M.  Wilcox,  1891,  1892  and  1893; 
Edmund  E.  Crowe  and  Joseph  R.  Taylor,  1894;  Joseph 
R.  Taylor,  1895,  1896,  1897,  1898,  1899,  1900,  1901 
and  1902. 

Doubtless  the  institution  of  which  the  citizens  are 
most  proud  is  the  municipal  electric  light  plant,  owned 


and  operated  by  the  city.  It  was  the  first  plant  of  its 
kind  to  be  constructed  within  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
and  one  of  the  early  ones  in  the  United  States. 

The  city's  original  plant  for  street  lighting,  now 
a  part  of  the  enlarged  electrical  system  for  both^public 
and  commercial  service,  was  authorized  to  be  establish- 
ed after  several  meetings  had  been  held  in  1891-92  to 
consider  the  subject  of  a  municipal  plant,  with  the 
result  that  a  favorable  vote  of  the  citizens  was  cast  and 
$22,500  appropriated  for  the  construction  of  such  a 
plant.  The  plant  was  constructed  under  the  direction 
of  a  committee  composed  of  Joseph  A.  Volk,  appoint- 
ed by  city  meeting,  Gen'l  Nelson  Taylor  and  Edwin 
Adams,  appointed  by  the  Common  Council.  Albert 
E.  Winchester  was  selected  as  consulting  engineer  to 
design  and  supervise  the  work.  A  part  of  the  "  Old 
Nursery"  property  located  on  the  south  side  of  State 
Street,  adjoining  the  N.  Y.,  N.  H.  &  H.  R.  R.,  was 
purchased  as  a  site  for  the  station  building  Ground 
was  broken  in  the  spring  of  1892  and  on  the  evening  N  - 
of  October  i3th,  of  the  same  year,  the  new  lighting 
system  was  regularly  started. 

The  original  installation  consisted  of  the  middle 
section  of  the  present  building,  (which  is  now  nearly 
double  its  original  size)  an  iron  smoke  stack,  one 
horizontal  tubular  boiler,  an  engine,  feed  water  heater, 
pump,  injector,  all  necessary  piping,  two  60  light  arc 
dynamos,  switch-board,  all  necessary  electrical  ap- 
pliances, tools,  office  fixtures,  and  a  pole  line  system, 
supplying  86  arc  lamps,  all  of  which  are  in  regular 
service  at  the  present,  except  the  iron  smoke  stack, 
which  was  replaced  by  the  large  brick  chimney,  made 
necessary  by  the  addition  of  the  commercial  system. 

After  the  public  lighting  system  had  been  in 
operation  for  several  years,  a  petition  headed  by  Isaac 
S.  Jennings,  one  of  the  original  promoters  of  the 
plant,  was  submitted  to  the  Common  Council,  re- 
questing the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  investi- 
gate and  report  on  the  advisability  of  enlarging  the 
plant  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  commercial  electric 
lighting.  In  compliance  with  the  petition  the  Com- 
mon Council  appointed  the  following  committee: 
Councilmen  Stephen  S.  Hatch,  Frank  N.  Ferris,  Oliver 
E.  Weed,  City  Attorney  John  H.  Light  and  Electrical 
Commissioners  Joseph  A.  Volk,  Col.  Leslie  Smith  and 
Albert  E.  Winchester.  Nearly  two  years  were  devo- 
ted to  a  most  careful  investigation  of  the  subject, 


383 


covering  municipal  and  other  electric  light  plants  in 
all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  a  favorable  report 
was  submitted  to  the  Common  Council  that  was  unan- 
imously adopted.  It  was  also  commented  upon  by 
leading  electrical  journals  as  being  a  reliable  and  un- 
biased authority  of  the  times  upon  the  subject  of  mu- 
nicipal ownership  of  electric  light  plants.  The  matter 
was  then  brought  before  a  city  meeting  held  October 
26,  1897,  and  a  favorable  vote  was  cast  authorizing  the 
construction  of  a  commercial  addition  to  the  existing 
system  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Electrical 
Commissioners,  Joseph  A.  Volk,  Col.  Leslie  Smith  and 
Albert  E.  Winchester,  and  appropriating  the  sum  of 
$20,000  called  for  in  the  report  to  cover  the  cost  of 
construction.  Work  was  immediately  started.  Mr. 
Winchester  being  again  selected  by  his  brother  com- 
missioners to  design  and  supervise  the  construction  of 
the  new  system,  and  commercial  lighting  was  supplied 
for  the  first  time  on  the  evening  of  August  i,  1898. 
The  system  was  run  under  test  until  the  i3th  of  the 
following  October,  when  it  took  its  place  as  part  of  the 
city's  enlarged  electrical  service,  at  which  time  the 
combined  plant  was  placed  upon  a  practical  commer- 
cial basis.  A  fixed  rate  being  established  for  street 
arc  lamps  as  well  as  for  all  other  out-put,  thus  ena- 
bling the  plant,  under  favorable  circumstances,  to  pay 
its  expenses  from  its  own  legitimate  income  similar  to 
a  private  corporation.  This  being,  as  far  as  known, 
the  first  municipal  electric  light  plant  to  operate  upon 
a  practical  business  standard,  under  which  municipal 
ownership  must  be  successful. 

The  commercial  branch  had  not  been  in  operation 
a  year  before  the  demand  for  electric  lighting  became 
so  great  that  the  plant  was  taxed  to  its  full  capacity. 
It  became  at  once  apparent  that  the  commercial  branch 
would  have  to  be  speedily  enlarged  and  Commissioner 
Winchester  was  once  more  selected  by  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  Board,  Commissioners  Volk  and  Smith,  to 
design  an  enlargement  of  the  commercial  branch, 
doubling  its  capacity  and  obtain  estimates  on  the  cost 
of  same.  In  the  early  part  of  May,  1900,  a  report  was 
submitted  to  the  Common  Council  recommending  the 
enlargement  at  a  cost  of  $17,500.  The  Common 
Council  gave  unanimous  approval  and  called  a  citizens' 
meeting  on  the  evening  of  May  15,  1900,  to  take  final 
action.  The  city  meeting  unanimously  appropriated 
$17,500  and  authorized  the  Electrical  Commissioners 

884 


to  proceed  with  the  contemplated  enlargement,  which 
was  started  without  further  delay.  The  enlargement 
was  built,  placed  in  operation  and  is  now  heavily  taxed 
to  meet  the  demand  for  lighting  and  power  that  con- 
tinues unabated.  The  day  power  system  for  motor 
service  which  had  for  several  years  been  operated  for 
the  city  by  the  former  Norwalk  Tramway  Co.  was 
bought  outright  on  June  29,  1901,  by  the  Electrical 
Commissioners  from  the  Connecticut  Railway  & 
Lighting  Co.  It  was  immediately  connected  with  the 
station  by  an  independent  feeder  and  the  distributing 
mains  were  replaced  with  larger  ones  extending  over 
a  much  greater  area. 

By  the  end  of  the  year  1901  so  great  had  become 
the  demands  upon  the  plant,  that  early  in  1902  the 
Board  of  Electrical  Commissioners  submitted  to  the 
Council  a  request  for  a  special  city  meeting,  to  consid- 
er appropriating  an  additional  $15,000.00  to  enlarge 
the  plant  and  to  purchase  equipment  therefor.  At  a 
special  city  meeting,  held  October  28,  1902,  the  citi- 
zens voted  an  appropriation  of  $15,000.  to  enlarge 
the  plant,  and  also  voted  to  establish  the  meter  system 
to  measure  electricity  furnished  for  commercial  light- 
ing, appropriating  $5,000.  for  this  latter  purpose. 
The  Commissioners  are  taking  the  necessary  steps  to 
carry  out  the  purposes  of  these  two  appropriations. 

The  station  is  a  substantial  brick  structure  practi- 
cally fire-proof,  with  slate  roof  on  which  are  two  cu- 
polas. The  building  proper  is  one  and  a  half  stories 
high,  of  rectangular  form,  48  feet  wide  by  109  feet 
long  with  a  coal  house  extension  on  the  east  of  100 
tons  storage  capacity,  opening  into  the  fire  room.  On 
the  west  side  are  located  a  battery  room  containing  the 
city's  fire  alarm  batteries,  a  repair  room,  a  test  room 
and  a  stock  room. 

The  interior  of  the  main  building  is  divided  by  a 
fire  wall  into  an  engine  room  and  boiler  room.  The 
boiler  room  contains  a  battery  of  four  125  horse-power 
horizontal  tubular  boilers,  a  feed  water  heater,  an  in- 
jector, a  fire  hose,  coal  weighing  scales,  an  iron  smoke 
flue  from  the  boilers  to  the  500  horse-power  brick 
chimney.  Above  the  roof  is  a  large  steam  whistle  for 
fire  and  other  calls.  The  chimney  is  a  massive  struc- 
ture, 91  feet  high,  built  up  from  a  natural  bed  rock 
foundation,  and  is  provided  with  an  iron  ladder,  sec- 
tional cast  iron  cap  and  copper  lightning  rod.  In  the 
base  of  the  chimney  is  a  fire-proof  safe  deposit  vault 

385 


for  city  records.  The  engine  room  which  is  connected 
with  the  boiler  room  by  a  large  sliding  door,  contains 
a  100  horse-power  "  Ideal "  high  speed  engine  belted 
direct  to  two  60  light  "Western  Electric"  arc  dynamos, 
four  100  horse-power  "Watertown"  high  speed  en- 
gines each  connected  direct  to  a  60  K.  W.  compound 
220  volt  multipolar  dynamo,  two  of  the  dynamos  are 
of  the  Siemens  &  Halske  and  two  of  the  Eddy  types, 
a  large  fully  equipped  marbleized  slate  switch-board 
on  which  are  mounted  all  controlling  devices  for  both 
the  high  tension  arc,  and  the  low  tension  commercial 
lighting  and  power  circuits.  The  remaining  equip- 
ment is  composed  of  a  fire  alarm  switch-board  with  a 
gong,  a  telephone,  damper  regulator,  an  additional 
200  horse-power  feed  water  heater,  two  steam  feed 
water  pumps,  etc.  The  steam  piping  is  covered  with 
"Nonpareil"  cork  covering  neatly  painted.  At  the 
front  end  of  this  room  is  a  gallery,  under  which  are 
the  main  entrance,  general  office,  private  office  and 
dressing  room;  the  offices  communicate  with  each 
other  and  the  engine  room  and  are  provided  with  a 
long  distance  telephone,  desks,  chairs,  safe,  etc.,  the 
dressing  room  contains  individual  clothes  lockers,  sink 
and  toilet.  Convenient  to  the  main  entrance  is  located 
a  fire  alarm  box. 

Both  engine  and  boiler  rooms  have  large  double 
outside  doors  through  which  the  largest  machinery 
may  be  handled.  The  boiler  room  floor  is  composed 
of  bricks  laid  on  edge  in  cement,  except  in  front  of  the 
boilers  where  blue  stone  flagging  is  laid.  The  other 
rooms  have  concrete  floors.  All  doors  opening  through 
brick  partitions  are  fire-proof.  Fifteen  electrical 
circuits  radiate  from  the  station  throughout  the  city, 
two  are  high  tension  mains  supplying  all  arc  lamps  in 
the  streets ;  four  are  low  tension  feeders,  one  for  the 
day  light  and  power  system  and  one  double  and  two 
single  for  commercial  lighting  connected  to  centers  of 
distribution  of  the  "crib"  system  of  commercial  mains, 
three  are  pressure  wires,  from  outside  feeder  ends,  one 
is  a  service  from  the  mains  to  light  the  station  and 
the  remaining  four  are  circuits  of  the  fire  alarm 
system  connected  with  all  fire  alarm  boxes,  bells,  etc. , 
of  the  fire  department. 

The  executive  staff  consists  of  a  non-partisan 
board  of  three  Electrical  Commissioners  appointed  by 
the  Common  Council,  each  for  the  term  of  three  years, 
one  commissioner  being  appointed  annually.  As  com- 

386 


111 

A    000106467    4 


missioners,  the  members  of  the  board  draw  no  salaries, 
but  they  have  the  power  to  make  appointments  from 
their  own  members,  to  any  position  on  the  salaried 
list  of  the  operating  staff.  Their  titles  are  President, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  and  General  Superintendent. 
It  is  their  duty  to  have  charge  of  the  operation  and 
maintenance  of  the  city's  electric  light,  fire  alarm  sys- 
tem and  other  electrical  details  of  the  city. 

The  operating  staff  is  composed  of  the  above 
General  Superintendent,  two  Engineers,  two  Linemen 
one  Trimmer  and  two  Firemen,  who  are  appointed  by 
the  Commissioners  on  the  qualifications  of  merit 
only. 


387 


